Northern Lights excursions

**Coalman** · 30 November 2009, 20:44

Not been on one myself, but really want to.

A friend went on a flight from Bristol (back to Bristol), about 3-4 hours flew over the Arctic circle, saw the stars with amazing clarity, saw the northern lights, but they were a bit 'dim' - not the best time in the cycle to see them (I think they will be better in a few years - 12 year cycle).

**suityou01** · 30 November 2009, 20:52

Originally posted by norrahe View Post

Has anyone here been on one, that they can recommend?

Have googled but not sure what one would be the best.

Just as soon as you pop a santa hat on your avatar. Not speaking to you until then.

**Cliphead** · 30 November 2009, 20:52

Saw them plenty of times up here, minimal sunspot activity means fewer aurora so might not be worth it.

**Tingles** · 30 November 2009, 20:52

Chasing the aurora?

Where have I read that?

**Paddy** · 30 November 2009, 21:38

Originally posted by norrahe View Post

Has anyone here been on one, that they can recommend?

Have googled but not sure what one would be the best.

Northern Lights

**minestrone** · 30 November 2009, 21:41

Originally posted by Cliphead View Post

Saw them plenty of times up here, minimal sunspot activity means fewer aurora so might not be worth it.

I have seen them once as well in Scotland, much slower than they are made out in the pictures, it was more like a lava lamp than the light show I thought it would be.

**Cliphead** · 30 November 2009, 21:44

Originally posted by minestrone View Post

I have seen them once as well in Scotland, much slower than they are made out in the pictures, it was more like a lava lamp than the light show I thought it would be.

On one occasion about seven years ago it was so bright it woke me up about 1am, heavy curtains as well. Was just like you imagine it to be at its best. It was some show and could actually be heard.

**RichardCranium** · 30 November 2009, 21:56

I never thought of asking that question on here. I have a very short "Things to do before I die list":

1. See a damn good display of the Northern Lights

Aren't we within a few years or maximum sunspot activity?

Would it be enough to spend a couple of weeks in northern Scotland? I could be having a holiday at the same time.

Do I need to spend a couple of weeks on the Shetlands? That is on my To Do list anyway.

Do I need to go to northern Scandinavia? Bill Bryson made that sound like damn hard work.

Does it need to be done in the winter when all the touristy things are closed so there is nothing all else to do?

Does an aurora cruise provide > 95% chance of a good show? I don't believe the brochures (they are vague anyway). I'd rather continue to spend my cruising trips visiting places rather than gambling it on a chance show.

What is a cost effective way of getting a very high %age of seeing a good show? I'm willing to invest 2 weeks.

**minestrone** · 30 November 2009, 22:16

Originally posted by Cliphead View Post

On one occasion about seven years ago it was so bright it woke me up about 1am, heavy curtains as well. Was just like you imagine it to be at its best. It was some show and could actually be heard.

I always though it would be like Local Hero with flashing lights, then the one I seen was coloured fluids flowing around the sky, totally amazing. Bright reds, purples and greens, all slowly merging.

That and the Olympic 100 meters finals are the greatest things I have ever seen.

Northern Lights excursions