The Northern Lights over Nordseter

"When the sky dances in green and purple over the mountain..."

Nordseter offers quiet, clear winter nights with minimal light pollution – perfect for chasing the Northern Lights. Even though we are located south of the classic aurora zone, sometimes the sky explodes in green and purple when the solar wind plays on the Earth's magnetic field. Since there is no open winter road at Nordseter, and the cabins inside the mountains do not have electricity, there is minimal light pollution and the conditions are right for seeing the aurora borealis In this article, you will get an easy-to-understand explanation of what the Northern Lights are - tips for when and how you have the best chance of seeing them - practical advice and activities you can combine with the Northern Lights experience and link to website where you can follow the KP-index and aurora conditions at Nordseter. The picture above shows the Northern Lights over Nevelvann at Nordseter - a great vantage point.

What are the Northern Lights - briefly explained

When charged particles from the sun hit the Earth's atmosphere, they collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. The result is light – usually green, but also red and purple – dancing along the magnetic field lines. The activity is measured with the CP index, from 0 (calm) to 9 (extreme).

Did you know?
Green light is most often caused by oxygen around 100–150 km altitude, while red tends to appear higher up.

At Nordseter Apartments you can experience the Northern Lights from the balcony of the apartment.

When do you have the greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights over Nordseter?

Season

The most favorable period in Norway to see the Northern Lights is from late September to early April. The periods around the spring and autumn equinoxes (September and March) often have increased solar activity, which can result in strong auroras.

Around the clock

The Northern Lights can appear when the sky is dark, but the most frequent time is often between 18:00 and 01:00 (local), most likely around 22:00–23:00. After 01:00, the chance often decreases, but it is not impossible that it will appear later.

Factors that affect

Clear skies and low light pollution
Unobstructed view to the north and low horizon
Higher CPI index increases the chance – especially so far

Check the CPI index at Nordseter

Tip: Be patient. The aurora can come and go in pulses, and even with a moderate CP, bright and sometimes faint glows can be visible if the sky is very clear and dark.

Activities and experiences around the Northern Lights

Nordlys over Nordseter

To enrich your Northern Lights experience, you can combine with:

Skiing (cross-country skiing or summit touring) under the starry sky
Snowshoeing in the winter landscape
Using our telescopes – study constellations, planets and the night sky
Aurora wake-up: stand ready outside with a hot drink, or make a morning wake-up arrangement so that you are notified if the Northern Lights appear

These activities give you a holistic experience – not just the Northern Lights, but contact with nature during the polar night.

Tips and checklist for Northern Lights hunters

Dress warmly — winter and cold nights require warm clothing
Use wide-angle lens and tripod for photo
Bring extra batteries (cold eats away at batteries)
Check cloud cover and forecasts in advance
Be patient — the Northern Lights can wait or jump back and forth
Have the opportunity to move to a slightly better view, if the view to the north is not clear