Aurora Hunting

It's about time - the first Northern Lights are popping up, and we are sitting restlessly at home. I (Henning from Arctic Campers) should be outside - armed with a tripod and camera chasing the lights. Instead, I am writing this blog to share my experience from the last years. I worked for 3 years in Lofoten as a Northern Lights guide, mostly for photographers or people who had the Aurora on their bucket list. I have seen them a thousand times. But still spotting them, especially when the activity of the Northern Lights is raging, is still super thrilling. I remember pretty clearly my three biggest Aurora experiences so far. Something that stays. There are for sure different ways to approach a successful Aurora Hunt, here comes my version:

The best conditions to spot the Aurora Borealis

Two things are essential for spotting the "Lady Aurora"! You need an almost clear night sky and, of course, Northern Lights activity. To witness them in all their glory, ensure you are away from city lights or any other interfering artificial light sources. Light pollution can hinder a clear view of the Northern Lights, making it much harder to spot them when they are still weak. Additionally, capturing good photographs with long exposure becomes challenging in the presence of artificial light sources.

The only time to see Northern Lights

The Northern Lights season starts in September above the Arctic Circle and lasts until the beginning of April. From that month onwards, the sun is up almost 24 hours a day, and there will be no darkness anymore.

What you should bring:

I will list the absolutely essentials to bring. Especially when you are hunting the Aurora with an Arctic Camper.

• Warm clothes - for sure you need that. (Essentials: Snow boots & ski underwear)
• Tripod - make sure you bring a heavy one, since it can be windy
• Camera - with long time exposure function
• Small torch or headlight - to adjust the camera in the darkness
• Smart phone or tablet - to check weather forecast and Northern Lights activity
• Thermos jug - hot tea or coffee keeps up your endurance while hunting (can be rented from us)

How to proceed after you picked up your camper

Load your camper with enough supplies so you are ready to go wherever the Northern Lights will take you. Before you´re good to go - open our guide. Check several locations in all cardinal directions for the best weather forecast. On the detailed pages, you will find the weather forecast for the current time and in 24 hours for the specific location. Of particular interest is the "Cloudiness" display, which should indicate below 60% cloud cover. Once you have found a suitable location, start driving. You can also check the Northern Lights activity on various websites, such as the aurora-service. Weather forecasts are never 100% reliable. I have experienced strong Northern Lights even when the forecast predicted no activity, and vice versa. The best approach is to keep an eye on the sky. Additionally, since you will be above the Arctic Circle for some days, it's best to take the Northern Lights prediction as it comes.

Start driving towards the location with the best weather forecast. Ensure it is not close to a city; we have also identified several locations as Northern Lights spots in our online guide. Check out the short list at the end of this blog. While driving, remember to focus on the road. Let your co-driver scan the sky for Northern Lights as you travel.

The best way to spot the Northern Lights when they are in an early stage

This trick can be helpful if you see something in the sky and you are unsure if it is a Northern Light or just a cloud. Grab your camera, open the aperture, and adjust the exposure to 3 seconds. Take a picture roughly towards the spot in the sky where you suspect the Northern Lights may be. If your display shows a white cloud, then it is likely not the Northern Lights. However, if you see a light green hue - JACKPOT - there it is! This hint of green could potentially develop into a larger Aurora burst, so keep a close watch on it.

Setting up your "Aurora Hunting Camp"

When you arrive at the promising spot, park the camper so that the hatch window points North. It is highly likely that the Aurora will appear in that direction, and if all goes well, you can comfortably view them from the camper bed. Prepare some tea or coffee for the night and keep the Diesel heater on if it gets cold. Set up the tripod outside beforehand so that you are ready when the lights suddenly appear. Take your time to choose a good spot, and remember that the Northern Lights could show up in all directions. Now, patience is key. If you prefer not to stay outside all night long, consider arranging a night watch with your travel companion. One of you can take turns going outside to check the sky every 10 minutes. The example below it's from the Tromsø all-sky camera is taken in that moment while I am writing this blog.

Suddenly the sky is on fire!

What to do? Stay calm, but act quickly. Jump out of the camper and enjoy the moment. You never know how long the Aurora will last - it could appear for just a few minutes or linger for half an hour. It's also important to experience the Aurora without always trying to capture a picture. That memory will stay with you forever. If you are fortunate enough to witness a very active burst, observe the movements closely. One of the most impressive sights for me is the waves of green gently drifting across the sky - sometimes at an unbelievable pace. Even native Norwegians can be "kind of" impressed when this happens. The challenge arises when the Northern Lights start to diminish in intensity - you wouldn't want to retreat back into your camper, fearing to miss the next burst. While you're right to stay vigilant, the cold and fatigue may weigh on you. Consider continuing the night watch, perhaps with 15-minute intervals this time. Alternatively, you could opt to get some sleep, but the true Aurora Hunter takes naps during the daytime.

Find the right spot

When guests pick up the camper, they often ask, "Where are the best places to spot the Northern Lights?" It can be challenging to answer, as the Northern Lights can be seen from anywhere as long as the sky is clear. However, there are some locations with fantastic surrounding landscapes that enhance the viewing experience. I will list a few of these spots here, all of which are marked in our guide.

Tromsø area

• Gløshaugen - wild camp spot up in the mountains
• Kattfjordvatnet - little light pollution not far from Tromsø
• Russelv Lyngen Alps - great open view towards North
• Lofoten area
• Flakstad Beach - Maybe the most popular spot in Lofoten
• Utakleiv - (not on the guide yet) great view towards North

You might also have a look into an earlier blog entry about chasing the lights in a camper van.