Helena Joyce
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a spectacular natural light display visible near the Earth's magnetic north pole. The best place to see the aurora is within 2,500 kilometres of the North Pole, though the phenomenon can sometimes be seen further south. The lights are most visible during the darkest and clearest nights, preferably with minimal light pollution. Light pollution from city lights can reduce visibility, so viewers should aim to be far away from cities to prevent this. Additionally, light pollution is more noticeable during cloudy or foggy conditions, as light reflects off water droplets. To improve the viewing experience, viewers can use tools like a sky quality meter to measure sky darkness and adjust outdoor lighting by pointing lights downward or reducing brightness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Factors that affect visibility | Geomagnetic activity, geographic location, local weather, light pollution, full moon |
| Best time to see auroras | Around midnight (10 pm to 2 am local time) |
| Best months to see stronger auroras | March and September |
| Aurora's visibility | Depends on the level of geomagnetic activity occurring at the time of viewing |
| Light pollution | The darker the sky, the better |
| Light pollution tool | Sky quality meter |
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What You'll Learn
Light pollution impacts aurora visibility
Light pollution significantly impacts the visibility of the aurora borealis. Bright lights from cities and urban areas can diminish the viewing experience and make it harder to see the aurora with the naked eye. The effects of light pollution are more noticeable when there are clouds or fog, as the light reflects off the water droplets.
To optimize the viewing experience, it is recommended to get as far away from city lights as possible. This means that locations closer to the auroral zone, which is within an approximately 1,550-mile (2,500-kilometer) radius of the North Pole, will have better visibility. Additionally, darker skies are more conducive to seeing the aurora in detail.
The amount of light pollution in an area can be measured using a sky quality meter, which indicates how dark the sky is. Light pollution maps, such as the Bortle scale, can also help identify areas with lower light pollution. For example, a Bortle 7 area is likely too bright to see the aurora, while a Bortle 4 area offers better odds.
To mitigate light pollution, individuals can take steps such as dimming or turning off lights at night and adjusting outdoor lights to point downward rather than upward or outward. These simple actions can significantly improve the visibility of the aurora borealis and enhance the viewing experience for all.
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Dark skies are best for aurora viewing
To see the lights in as much detail as possible with the naked eye, darker skies are better. As cities add more streetlights, finding truly dark skies can be a challenge. However, some cities are taking steps to reduce light pollution, such as by dimming or turning off lights at night and pointing them downward.
If you're planning to travel to see the aurora, it's important to consider the time of year and day. The most favourable months to see stronger auroras are March and September, and the best time of day is usually around midnight (10 pm to 2 am local time). The number of hours of darkness per night at your location can also impact your viewing experience.
To increase your chances of seeing the aurora, it's best to be within the "auroral zone," an area within an approximately 1,550-mile (2,500-kilometre) radius of the North Pole. However, even outside of this zone, strong solar activity can bring the lights farther south.
In addition to light pollution, other factors that can impact your ability to see the aurora include geomagnetic activity, your geographic location, local weather, a full moon, and cloud cover or fog, as light pollution is more noticeable when light reflects off water droplets. Tools like the Kp index (and G-scale) and sky quality meter can help you assess your viewing possibilities.
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Bright lights destroy night vision
Bright lights can indeed destroy night vision, making it harder to see in low-light conditions. This is true for both the naked eye and night vision devices (NVDs).
Night Vision in the Human Eye
The human eye has two types of photoreceptor cells: cones and rods, which are located in the retinas at the backs of the eyes. Cones handle colour vision and fine details, while rods help us see in low-light conditions. Night blindness, or nyctalopia, occurs when a person has trouble seeing in dim or dark places due to issues with detecting light. It is not a disease in itself but a symptom of several conditions, most of which are treatable.
Some common causes of night blindness include:
- Cataracts: As cells die and build up debris inside the eye, it clouds the lens, causing distorted vision, especially at night.
- Lack of certain vitamins and nutrients: A lack of vitamin A or zinc can lead to night blindness.
- Retinitis pigmentosa: A rare genetic disorder that can cause a decline in night vision, often affecting young people before the age of 30.
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight: This is a risk factor for cataract development, which can lead to poor night vision.
- LASIK surgery complications: Some people experience night vision problems, such as glare and halos, after LASIK surgery.
Night Vision Devices (NVDs)
NVDs are sensitive devices designed to function in dark, low-light, or no-light conditions. As such, they are vulnerable to damage from both natural and artificial light sources. Exposure to bright light can burn the optical tubes within NVDs, leading to temporary or permanent visibility issues. This is why it is crucial to avoid turning on NVDs in full daylight or near bright light sources and to turn them off when not in use.
Aurora Borealis and Light Pollution
Now, let's bring the discussion back to the Aurora Borealis and light pollution. Light pollution from city lights can significantly impact the viewing experience of the Northern Lights. The darker the sky, the better the chances of witnessing the Aurora with all its details. To mitigate light pollution, individuals can adjust outdoor lights to point downward, and businesses can reduce the brightness of exterior lights.
Additionally, it is important to consider your geographic location and the level of geomagnetic activity when planning to view the Aurora. The higher the geomagnetic activity, the brighter the Aurora will be, and the further away from the polar regions it can be viewed. Tools like the SWPC Aurora Dashboard can help determine the visibility of the Aurora for a specific location.
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Light pollution is worse in certain places
For example, in 2013, Hong Kong was declared the "worst [city] on the planet" for light pollution. Other places with significant light pollution include Singapore, China's provincial capital cities, and the eastern coastline of North America. These locations may not be ideal for viewing the aurora borealis due to the bright skies caused by artificial lighting.
Additionally, light pollution can be more noticeable in areas with clouds or fog, as the light reflects off the water droplets, creating a bright haze known as "sky glow." This effect can further reduce the visibility of the aurora borealis and other celestial objects.
To mitigate the impact of light pollution on aurora viewing, it is recommended to move away from light-polluted areas and seek darker skies. This may involve travelling to remote regions or designated dark sky areas, such as the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve in the United States. By reducing light pollution, individuals can not only improve their chances of seeing the aurora borealis but also contribute to the preservation of natural night skies and the well-being of humans and wildlife affected by excessive artificial lighting.
Furthermore, certain practices can help reduce light pollution. These include using low-pressure sodium lights or amber Aluminium gallium indium phosphide LED lights, which are easier to filter out for astronomy purposes. Additionally, communities can work together to reduce light pollution by turning off unnecessary outdoor lights and using timers to control lighting in stadiums and other spaces. By addressing light pollution, we can improve the viewing conditions for the aurora borealis and restore the natural darkness of the night sky.
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Light pollution is reflected by clouds and fog
Light pollution is a significant hindrance when attempting to view the Aurora Borealis. The brighter the sky, the more challenging it becomes to observe the phenomenon. The presence of clouds and fog further amplifies this issue, as they reflect artificial light back towards the ground. This reflection intensifies the skyglow, making it even harder to see the Aurora.
Clouds are excellent indicators of light pollution levels. Low-hanging clouds reflect light from nearby sources, while higher clouds, such as the high cirrus deck, reveal more distant sources, up to over 100 miles away. The effect is more pronounced in urban areas, where the sky grows brighter as clouds reflect light pollution from numerous artificial sources. This phenomenon has disrupted the natural cycle of light and dark, impacting the behaviour of organisms even kilometres away.
The amplification of light pollution by clouds has been observed in various locations. For instance, in Berlin, cloud cover increased sky luminance by a factor of 10.1, while in a rural area 32 km from the city centre, the factor was still 2.8. Additionally, inside the city, overcast nights with cloud cover were brighter than clear rural moonlit nights by a factor of 4.1.
The impact of light pollution reflected by clouds and fog is not limited to impeding the observation of celestial events like the Aurora Borealis. It also has ecological consequences. Excessive artificial light can have adverse health effects on animals and plants. Furthermore, it alters the predator-prey relationship, as on cloudy nights, predators historically had little chance of spotting their prey in the darkness.
To mitigate light pollution and improve the visibility of the Aurora Borealis, it is essential to reduce artificial light sources. This can be achieved by adjusting outdoor lights to point downward, dimming or turning off unnecessary lights, and reducing the brightness of exterior lights. By implementing such measures, viewers can enhance their experience of witnessing the Aurora Borealis and restore the natural balance of light and darkness in the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The darker the sky, the better. Light pollution from city lights can affect your viewing possibilities. The further away you are from light pollution, the better your experience will be.
You can use a sky quality meter to measure how dark the sky is.
The best months to see stronger auroras are March and September. The best time to see them is around midnight (10 pm to 2 am local time). The further north you are, the more likely you are to see the display.
A Bortle class is a measure of light pollution. A Bortle 7 class is probably too bright to see the Aurora Borealis. For the best odds, try to get somewhere closer to a Bortle 4.
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