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What is Aurora Borealis?

Charged particles, or plasma, constantly flow from the Sun, create what we call the solar wind. These particles carry the Sun’s magnetic field with them, which interacts with Earth’s magnetic field and the plasma environment surrounding Earth.

The charged particles are funneled into the polar regions, forming two vast rings of light known as the auroral ovals around the magnetic poles. Occasionally, the Sun releases large amounts of plasma, triggering auroral storms that cause these ovals to expand and brighten.

Why is Svalbard one of the best places to see the aurora?

Because you have a good chance to see ‘dayside aurora’. Most people don’t realize that the aurora that can be seen during the daytime is different from the aurora that can be seen in the nighttime. Due to its location at 78°N, right under the auroral oval during the daytime (8 am to noon), Svalbard is ideally positioned to witness this phenomenon.

The solar wind funnels into the Earth’s atmosphere through the polar cusps, a region where the magnetic field channels particles, creating low-energy red auroras at high altitudes. Unlike the green, high-energy auroras seen at night, this daytime aurora is mainly red and calmer. With Svalbard’s extended winter darkness, it’s possible to see auroras at any time, even 24 hours a day if you’re lucky.

How often can the aurora be seen in Svalbard?

The aurora can be regularly seen in Svalbard from late September to March, with the best chances during dark, clear skies. The Sun follows an 11-year activity cycle, moving from solar maximum (with lots of sunspots) to solar minimum (fewer sunspots). During solar maximum, the auroral ovals expand, making auroras brighter and more widespread. This increased activity gives more opportunities to see vivid auroras.

However, since the nightside auroral oval is usually further south than Svalbard, intense solar activity can sometimes shift the aurora too far south to be visible from the island. That said, during active space weather, the auroral oval remains dynamic and expands, giving you a good chance of seeing auroras from Svalbard, even on the nightside.

And what’s the best time and location for viewing it?

For the best chances to see the aurora, it’s important to time your visit during the darkest months, typically from November 11 to January 29, with the darkest period around the winter solstice (December 21). You can also have good aurora sightings in February and October, especially for the nightside aurora, with some daylight for exploring. However, from March 5 to October 8, there is no darkness on Svalbard, so aurora sightings aren’t possible during this time.

To increase your chances, head to a dark spot away from streetlights. The best locations are outside the town but be sure to have polar bear protection if you are venturing beyond town limits. Booking a tour is a safe way to maximize your aurora chances while ensuring your safety.

What is it like to conduct research in Svalbard’s extreme conditions?

Auroral research in Arctic regions, particularly on Svalbard, is relatively comfortable compared to other fieldwork. At the Kjell Henriksen Observatory, optical instruments are set up indoors and collect data autonomously through transparent domes. Other instruments also have heated control buildings to keep the electronics warm, making it easier to work on-site.

However, the weather can sometimes affect measurements, such as when ice and snow accumulate on the instruments, which in the worst case can cause them to collapse. This happened in 2018 with the Svalbard SuperDARN radar, which I was studying for my PhD.

In just a few hours, due to the temperature, wind, and precipitation, over 2 tons of ice accumulated on the radar’s masks and support ropes, causing it to collapse under the weight. The radar is now rebuilt with these conditions in mind, so caution always has to be taken regarding weather on Svalbard.

What kinds of methods and equipment are used for aurora observations?

Around Longyearbyen, there are a lot of instruments used for observing aurora. On top of the Breinosa mountain close to mine 7, the Kjell Henriksen Observatory has many optical instruments like cameras and spectrometers. These sit underneath transparent, heated domes and rely on darkness to make their measurements. It is important not to shine your headlights on the observatory as this will ruin the measurements that tell us a lot about the different colours and the brightness of the aurora.

Close to the Kjell Henriksen Observatory, there are different kinds of radars, which are not sensitive to light and can record aurora even when it is daylight. One is the EISCAT Svalbard Radar, which is 2 very large dishes, one is 42m in diameter and the other is 32m.

From this radar’s measurements, we can learn about the temperature, speed and density, of the plasma flowing high in the atmosphere. This instrument uses a lot of power and the town’s power station is informed of the schedule and when the radars will be switched on to prevent blackouts.

Nearby, there’s also the SuperDARN radar, consisting of vertical masts with wires and ropes. It monitors plasma flow over large areas, working with other SuperDARN radars to map global plasma movement in the polar regions. Around 10km northwest of Longyearbyen, at the base of Breinosa mountain in Adventdalen valley, you’ll find the SOUSY Svalbard Radar (small masts) and the Norway Svalbard Meteor Radar (larger masts). The SOUSY radar observes winds and turbulence from 3 to 100 km altitude, while the Meteor Radar tracks meteor trails to study wind speed and temperature at around 90 km altitude.

How does space weather affect the Aurora Borealis?

When space weather is more active, the aurora borealis becomes more frequent and intense. Solar eruptions, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), release plasma into space. When this plasma reaches Earth, it interacts with our magnetic field, creating auroras. CMEs can be predicted a few days in advance and often result in vivid auroras lasting from hours to days, as they provide many extra particles for the collisions that create the aurora.

Another feature, the “coronal hole”, releases high-speed plasma and is a constant, long-lived feature sometimes lasting more than a solar rotation. While less dramatic than CMEs, coronal holes can trigger aurora over longer periods (days) and be predicted about 27 days in advance (one solar rotation).

Are there different types of auroras?

There are many, many different types and forms of aurora. There are too many to possibly go through, but they can be classified by their sizes, shapes, colours, how they change over time, and what angle you view the aurora at.

For example, an auroral arc is mainly green and is a long ribbon that stretches usually from East to West. An auroral ray is a thin needle of aurora and you may notice that it is green on the bottom and red on the top. The shape of the ray outlines the direction of the invisible magnetic field line of the Earth! There can be pulsating aurora, which are blurry patches that flicker on and off. This type of aurora is fuzzy, and scientists call this ‘diffuse’. There is even a type of aurora called STEVE, which looks like a purple ribbon!

What are the current research projects focused on?

In the University Centre in Svalbard one of the big focuses of the Space Physics group is unusual types of aurora. One type, fragmented aurora-like emissions, forms at right angles to the magnetic field and often appears in chains. Another, continuous emissions, consist of all colors, appearing off-white, unlike the typical colors of normal auroras. These emissions’ sources and effects—like disturbances to GPS, communications, and satellite drag—are still unclear.

To gather more data, researchers are collaborating with the upcoming Fram2 mission, the first human space mission to travel around Earth’s polar regions in Spring 2025. Astronaut Jannicke Mikkelsen, equipped with advanced photographic tools, will document these strange auroras during the mission, offering valuable insights for the ongoing studies.

What are your tips for experiencing the Aurora Borealis in Svalbard?

For anyone visiting Svalbard for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the aurora borealis, I can say there’s truly nothing like it. I wish you the best of luck with both space and weather conditions to ensure you get to witness this incredible phenomenon.

To maximize your chances, head away from the city lights, visit during the dark season, and make sure to come soon to take advantage of the solar maximum.

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Last update: 03. March 2025