Northern Lights to peak this year and next

If you've never seen the Northern Lights but always wanted to, this could be your year. Studies and historical data show that early 2013 could be the most optimum time to see the lights at their maximum. One study suggests you're even twice as likely to spot the nighttime light display during a solar maximum as opposed to a solar minimum.

 

What's a solar maximum?

Science has proven that the cause of the mystical Northern Lights is solar magnetic activity. The lights operate on an 11-year cycle that rotates from maximum to minimum and the next maximum period is due in early 2013. At this time of the cycle there are more sunspots and more intense magnetic activity on the surface of the sun.

Without getting too deep into the physics of how the lights work, all you need to know is that the lights are at their prime right now and will still be strong next winter as well.

Where to see the lights?

You can spot the northern lights from a number of places but the best is known to be the northern regions of Sweden near Abisko and Bjorkliden. The lights are one of the most phenomenal natural shows on earth. If you haven't seen the lights with your own eyes, what are you waiting for?

If you stay in Northern Sweden for three or more days, experts are saying that you have an 80% chance of spotting the lights during your trip. This is much higher than anywhere else in the world. The lights so far this year have been more intense and more frequent than ever before.

Have you seen the Northern Lights before?

Image: aigle_dore / Flickr cc.