Northern Lights

at Hörgsland 1

One of the good places to experience the Northern Lights is at Hörgsland 1, a hidden gem nestled in the stunning Icelandic landscape. Located far from the light pollution of the cities, Horgsland offers a pristine vantage point where the aurora's colors seem to shimmer even more brightly against the dark sky. The vast, open spaces around Hörgsland, with their unobstructed views, make it an ideal spot for aurora chasers.

On a clear night, when the lights begin their dance, it's as if the entire sky comes alive, painting the heavens with light and color.

  • On a clear night, when the lights begin their dance, it's as if the entire sky comes alive, painting the heavens with light and color.

  • The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is one of Iceland's most breathtaking natural phenomena. Dancing across the night sky in vibrant shades of green, pink, and purple, the aurora is a mesmerizing display of nature's beauty. In Iceland, this celestial spectacle is especially awe-inspiring, drawing visitors from around the world who hope to witness its magic.

  • The Northern Lights have inspired countless stories and legends throughout history. One popular tale in Iceland is that the lights were created by the shimmering armor of the Valkyries, the warrior maidens of Norse mythology. As they rode across the sky, their armor reflected the light, creating the aurora's ethereal glow.

  • Another story comes from an elderly couple who, after a lifetime together, had always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights. They finally made the journey to Hörgsland in their later years, and as they stood hand in hand under the vibrant sky, the lights burst into a dazzling display. They said it felt like the universe was celebrating their love, and the memory of that night stayed with them forever.

  • A more recent anecdote involves a group of friends on a road trip around Iceland. They decided to stop at Hörgsland for the night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the aurora. As they relaxed into the evening, the sky suddenly erupted in color, and the lights seemed to dance in time with the music playing softly in the background. It was a moment of pure magic, one they described as "the trip of a lifetime."

  • Seeing the Aurora Borealis at Hörgsland is an experience like no other. Whether you're a seasoned aurora chaser or seeing the lights for the first time, the beauty and wonder of the Northern Lights will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

What is Aurora Borealis?

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) result from disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field caused by charged particles from the sun. The Earth's magnetic field originates and is maintained by electric and convective currents in the Earth's fluid outer core. At the Earth's surface, about 90% of the magnetic field can be described by a dipole field, with the magnetic poles located approximately 10° from the Earth's rotational axis. The currents within the Earth change very slowly, meaning the magnetic field from the Earth's interior generally changes only over years and centuries.

A stream of charged particles from the sun, known as the solar wind, continuously impacts the magnetic field, bending it into a magnetosphere that largely protects the Earth and its atmosphere from these particles. Variations in the solar wind cause disturbances in the magnetic field, which can last from seconds to days. These disturbances are usually small compared to the strength of the magnetic field from the Earth's core, with significant disturbances being around 1-3% of the field's strength at the Earth's surface.

The Kp index is a simple measure of aurora activity, describing the strength of magnetic field disturbances on Earth. The Kp index ranges from 0 to 9, where 0 indicates minimal activity and 9 indicates maximum activity. Most often, the Kp value is between 0 and 3, with higher values being very rare. The Kp value is calculated as a weighted average of K-values from numerous geomagnetic observatories on Earth, where the K-value at each observatory is determined by the largest deviation in the horizontal strength of the magnetic field every 3 hours.

Your Checklist for Northern Lights viewing:

  • Look for a KP index of 2 or higher. While a KP value of 2-3 is usually enough to see the aurora in Iceland, higher values increase the chances of more vivid displays.

  • Check for Clear Skies, Make sure the sky is clear or has minimal cloud cover. If you can see stars, you have a good chance of spotting the aurora since stars are higher in the sky than the Northern Lights.

  • Find A Dark Location, Aurora visibility is best away from artificial light pollution. Stay in dark areas, preferably far from city lights. Winter months in Iceland (from September to April) provide long periods of darkness, which is ideal.

  • Dress Warmly, Layer up with thermal clothing, insulated jackets, hats, gloves, and waterproof boots. Temperatures can drop significantly at night.

  • Thermos: Bring a thermos with a hot drink (like tea or cocoa) to stay warm during long periods outdoors
  • iPhone or camera settings: Use a camera with manual settings to capture the aurora. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a wide-angle lens, a tripod, and long exposure settings (5-30 seconds) will help you capture the best shots.
  • Tripod is useful, A sturdy tripod is essential for keeping your camera stable during long exposure shots, which are necessary for photographing the Northern Lights
  • Patience and time: The Northern Lights can be unpredictable. Be prepared to spend several hours outside waiting for the lights to appear. The best times are usually between 10 PM and 2 AM

Do you feel like staying and watching the Aurora with us?