This year’s hotspots are looking a whole lot cooler with the rise of Northern Lights tourism, spurred by reports that the astronomical phenomenon will be extraordinarily visible in 2024. According to a survey commissioned by Expedia®, nearly half (42%) of Americans will prioritize aurora chasing in the year ahead over other bucket list experiences. northern aurora
Traveling to see the Northern Lights is more in demand than a visit to Egypt’s pyramids (36%) or a walk along the Great Wall of China (33%). Expedia searches are skyrocketing for winter trips to Northern Lights “capitals” like Lapland in Finland (+370%), Canada’s Churchill (110%), and Alta in Norway (+100%).
To help travelers plan, Expedia has released a Northern Lights Insider Guide packed with insights on trending destinations, booking hacks, photography tips, and ideal itineraries.
“Planning your Northern Lights adventure might feel like navigating uncharted territory, but we’ve made it easy for travelers to make this trip a reality,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “From Canada to Norway, the free guide shows where to stay for under $160 a night or how to bundle a whole trip together for under $1,500. There’s even a photography guide to make sure you know how to capture the memory.”
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are swirling patterns of green, blue, and red that adorn the night sky. They occur when streams of charged particles, known as solar wind, are expelled from the outer layer of the sun towards Earth, where they strike gas particles in the upper atmosphere. These collisions transfer energy to the gas molecules, which then lose it in the form of light particles. This produces tiny flashes of light that combine to create dazzling displays.
“Each experience is unique depending on the solar activity at the time,” says Shannon Schmoll, the director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.
2024 is set to be an unusually good year to see the aurora
Why are they becoming more common? northern aurora
Thanks to the sun’s 11-year cycle of activity, the next couple of years are the perfect time to view the northern lights’ extraordinary display. Since 2019, sunspots—which appear as dark patches on the sun’s surface—have been ramping up in frequency and boosting the odds of seeing the aurora. Sunspots result from twisting magnetic fields on our nearest star.
“Right now, we’re heading towards the solar maximum at the end of the solar cycle, which is forecast to occur in one to two years, perhaps in early 2025,” says Schmoll. “This means we’re getting more and more sunspots, which means more and more solar storms, and we are able to see more aurora.” After the solar maximum, “it’ll take a few years to really get back down to that minimum, where we’re not really seeing as much activity from the sun,” she says.
Where can I see the northern lights? northern aurora
Usually, the ethereal experience can be enjoyed in rural and open areas in Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Lapland, and Alaska. And they’re still your best bet for reliably delivering an incredible view of the lights. However, strengthening solar winds are exciting gas molecules further from the poles, which means the spectacle can increasingly be seen in U.S. states where the aurora is not usually visible, including Idaho, Minnesota, Michigan, and Montana. When the storms are unusually strong, “they can get pushed down even farther than that into Illinois,” says Schmoll.
When can I spot them?
The best time of year to seek out nature’s light show is from mid-September to mid-April when nights are darker. Especially long and dark evenings from January to March make this a particularly prime time to view them. On the other hand, warmer nights in autumn and spring can make the waiting game a little more comfortable.
Travel tips for viewing the northern lights
With the increased visibility of the northern lights, you hopefully don’t need to travel too far from home. You’ll want to pack warm clothes, as the suspenseful nights will likely be chilly. To get a more vivid view, make sure to set out on evenings with dark and clear skies. Spending at least a week in your chosen destination will give you a greater chance of spotting them, as the aurora won’t be visible every night.
Booking a tour such as those available on Expedia is a great way to hunt for the aurora with the help of a local guide. Lastly, if you want to capture the must-see experience, don’t rely on your phone, as these can struggle with moving objects and longer exposure times. Bring a camera with manual focus and a tripod to take some incredible, once-in-a-lifetime photos.