Where Is The Best Place To See Aurora?

The maps below show the average location of the auroral oval in the northern and southern hemispheres.

In the northern hemisphere, prime viewing locations include Fairbanks, Alaska, and many locations in eastern Canada. In Europe, Iceland and northern Scandinavia see the most aurora. In the southern hemisphere, the aurora frequents uninhabited regions, making sightings of the southern lights, aurora australis, much rarer than the northern lights, aurora borealis.

The farther away from the average oval you live, the smaller your chance of seeing aurora. For example, people in the northern New England states may be able to see aurora several times a year, while people living in the southeastern US may only have the opportunity to see the aurora a few times in a century! The chart below shows the average percentage of nights per year that the aurora might be seen:

Besides location, weather and light pollution also affect your chances of seeing aurora. Obviously, you cannot see aurora if the sky is overcast. However, even a slight haze may prevent you from seeing the aurora if it is illuminated by light pollution from a nearby urban area.

Your best bet for seeing aurora is to get as close as you can to the position of the average auroral oval shown above, and as far away as you can from sources of artificial light.