On Thursday evening, the whole country will probably see a light show in the starry sky, and it’s completely free. A fierce aurora has been forecast. – You will be able to see powerful northern lights in northern Norway, but also here in southern Norway, if everything works out, says Pål Brekke, head of space research at the Norwegian Space Centre. However, it does not stop there. There is a good chance of seeing the northern lights in the next few nights as well. Brekke thinks it could become visible as far south as Arendal and Kristiansand. The Kp index is between 5 and 6. The sun is unusually active at the moment. Brekke says it has been a long time since we have had so much aurora activity. – That solar activity runs in an eleven-year cycle. From being very calm for a few years, it rises, and now we are close to the maximum. And this maximum is stronger than at approx. 20 years. Pål Brekke at the Norwegian Space Center believes that in the next few days you can see the northern lights as far south as Arendal. Photo: Norsk Romsenter See the northern lights in shorts and a T-shirt Another thing that is unusual is the high temperatures that are still in northern Norway. September in the north has been record hot so far this year. In Troms and Finnmark, over 19 degrees have been reported in the coming days, with a night temperature of 15 degrees. In other words, you can practically stand outside and see the northern lights in a T-shirt and shorts. It is not everyday food. Gustavsson explains that the temperature at ground level has nothing to do with the amount of northern lights you can see. – The Northern Lights are at an altitude of 100 to 200 kilometers. The weather only matters if we can see the northern lights. Gustavsson thinks it’s fun not to have to put on thick layers of clothes to look at the northern lights, but rather to think about mosquitoes and gnats. – For me as an aurora researcher, it is quite an exotic thought to have to think about gnats and mosquitoes when looking at the aurora. It’s not common. He explains that in winter it is usually cold when the weather is clear. This is what it looked like over Alta on Monday when the northern lights appeared. If everything goes well, you will also be able to see the light show in Southern Norway. Photo: KIRSTEN RAMBERG Hoping for spectacular lights Someone who has already seen the northern lights dancing in the sky this autumn is Kirsten Ramberg from Alta. The northern lights she saw earlier this week, she thought, were extra beautiful. – There was so much movement in the northern lights, and a lot of red and purple hues, in addition to the usual colours. I was very impressed. She says it is unusual to see the northern lights on an evening walk in just a T-shirt and trousers, and enjoys that she is not freezing. – At times it has been so cold when I take pictures of the northern lights that my fingers hurt. Ramberg is also going out to see in the next few days, and expects to see even more northern lights. She also hopes others take the trip out. – I always take a trip outside, whatever the weather. Then I get this with the purchase, then I think it’s just even better. Spectacular northern lights make the trip even better. Good years ahead Pål Brekke believes there will be a lot of aurora activity in the next couple of years. – I think the Northern Lights season this winter will be very good. As the sun continues, I think this promises very well. He is supported by northern lights researcher Björn Gustavsson at the University of Tromsø. He also has high hopes for the upcoming season. – I think it will be good. We should be able to count on a couple more winters with really good aurora activity. Published 12.09.2024, at 07.42
ttn-69
Powerful northern lights across the country – Northern Norway can watch the light show in shorts – news Troms and Finnmark
