The glowing curtains of the Aurora Borealis — the Northern Lights — have a scientific origin. The Sun constantly sends a stream of charged particles into space, a flow known as the solar wind. When the Sun emits extra energy through events like solar flares or coronal mass ejections, this stream becomes stronger and denser.
When these charged particles approach Earth, they meet our planet’s magnetic field — the Earth’s magnetosphere. For most of the planet, the magnetosphere deflects the particles. Near the magnetic poles, however, field lines funnel some particles down into the upper atmosphere. There, they collide with atoms of gases like oxygen and nitrogen. Those collisions force the atoms’ electrons into excited states. When the electrons return to their normal state, they emit light. That light is what we perceive as the aurora.
Colours depend on which gas is hit — and at what altitude. Oxygen atoms struck around 100–200 km altitude glow green — the most common color. At higher altitudes (above ~200 km), oxygen can produce red light, but this occurs mainly during strong solar activity. Nitrogen can emit blue, purple or pink tones, especially when collisions happen at lower layers or when the solar storm is intense. Occasionally a blend of colours can appear, even a yellowish or pastel glow.
The shapes — arcs, curtains, waves — follow the magnetic field lines. When solar activity spikes, more particles reach Earth, atmospheric collisions increase, and the auroras become brighter, more dynamic, more colourful.
When and where to see Aurora Borealis in Finland
Auroras concentrate around the geomagnetic poles. In northern Finland — above the Arctic Circle — the probability of sighting them is high.
The aurora season runs from late August to early April, when nights are long enough for darkness to let the lights stand out. Autumn (September–October) and early spring (February–March) often bring favourable conditions.
The best time during the night is usually between about 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. local time — when the sky is darkest and the Earth’s magnetic effects tend to intensify.
To increase your chances: pick a clear, cloudless night; stay far from artificial light; and face north or choose an open view to the horizon.
How a stay in a luxury setting helps you catch the Lights
If you plan a stay in a luxury hotel Finland, you combine comfort and nature. A well-placed accommodation high in the north offers quiet nights, dark skies, and minimal light pollution — ideal conditions for aurora observation.
Staying several nights increases your odds. Because auroras depend on solar and atmospheric activity, even if one night is cloudy or quiet, another might deliver spectacular skies. Monitoring aurora forecasts and weather alongside a multi-night stay makes sense. Many remote resorts in Lapland are positioned under the auroral oval — the ring around the geomagnetic pole where auroras concentrate.
If you search for rovaniemi hotels northern lights, you can find accommodations that match those conditions: good location, darkness, and comfort. In such a place you don’t sacrifice warmth or convenience for the chance to witness nature’s show.
Experience aurora in comfort
You don’t need to freeze outside in wilderness and wait for hours. A stay in a refined setting gives you warmth, rest, and the possibility to wake up and watch the sky through large windows or from a quiet terrace.
For someone who values both comfort and nature’s grandeur, combining scientific curiosity with a peaceful retreat makes sense. If you aim to see the Aurora Borealis under best possible conditions — a remote northern sky, minimal light pollution, multiple nights to try — a stay in a well-placed hotel is a smart choice.
