Did you know I was born under the northern lights? Well…to be honest I haven’t verified it, but there is a big chance it is true as my hometown Alta is located just below the Aurora Borealis Oval. The chances of seeing the northern lights is so high Alta has been named ‘City of the Northern Lights’.
(f 2.8, 10 sec, ISO 1000)
Whenever I visit my hometown in the period September to April chances of seeing aurora borealis is good as Alta has inland climate and often clear skies. It is always exciting driving out during the evening hunting for northern lights.
(f 1.4, 2 sec, ISO 1000)
History of aurora borealis in Alta
Alta has been an important place for northern lights research. In 1839 an international expedition came to Alta to study the northern lights. When the First International Polar Year was executed 1882-1883 Alta was set up as the station from Norway contributing to the research.
In 1899 the world’s first permanent northern lights observatory was completed in Alta. It was put on top of Haldde, a mountain peak just outside Alta. During summer you can hike up to Haldde to the observatory and it is possible to stay overnight.
(f 1.4, 0.6 sec, ISO 1000)
Myths around northern lights
We now know northern lights are created when electrically charged particles from the sun hit the atmosphere of the Earth. But before scientists where able to explain the phenomena people of the arctic had many myths around this magical light show.
The one I heard as a kid was never to wave to the northern light with something white (like a napkin). If you did, the northern light would come and get you. This was used to scare kids to get home in the evening when it got dark.
In Finland they called the light ‘fox fires’ and in Sweden the fishermen thought the light was reflections of herring swimming nearby.
(f 1.4, 0.6 sec, ISO 1000)
Nordlyskatedralen – The Northern Lights Cathedral
In 2013 the The Northern Lights Cathedral was opened in Alta. The church is inspired by the northern lights and is built like a spiral that swings its way up. During special occasion it is lit up and you can get some wonderful pictures.
We have tried to get a photo of The Northern Lights Cathedral with the northern lights in the background a few times before, but during out last visit we succeeded. It was such a great aurora show, one of the strongest I have seen.
(f 2.8, 1 sec, ISO 1000)
How to photograph the northern lights?
To get good northern lights photos you need a camera where you can set shutter speed, ISO and light sensitivity. You also need a tripod.
Which setting to use depends on conditions – but a good starting point is f2.8 / ISO 1000/ 3 sec. For those especially interested I have added setting used under each image and as you can see exposure varies from 0.6 second to 10 seconds.
Another important factor is to go somewhere where there is as little light pollution as possible. This is not a problem at all in Alta, just get into your car and drive 15-30 minutes outside town and you are in the darkness.
(f 1.4, 0.6 sec, ISO 1000)
Have you experienced the northern lights? Have you heard any others myths about the northern lights? I would love to hear from you.
Wow! You are very fortunate. Great pictures.
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I might just need to visit your hometown! What stunning images. I would love to see the Northern Lights. I’m hoping to make it to Norway next year but it won’t be in the Aurora season unfortunately.
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You’re a lucky gal. Once in my life I’ve seen the Northern Lights. I was on my way home for the weekend from Columbus, Ohio to Peoria Heights, Illinois – 1963. I was still in Ohio when I came around a country road curve and there it was…smack dab on the horizon, dancing like a ballerina. Ill never forget it.
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How beautiful are those images. And I must say you are too lucky to be born in Alta. Its my all time dream to witness the Northern Lights and also to capture it with my lens. The day I take it, I’ll literally feel complete
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Waaaauw…..this is REALLY WONDERFUL
One photo is even more beautiful and special than the other.
Waaauw….
I wish to vist also the north….once !
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Brilliant, Inga!!
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Oh wow, this is such great photos! I have seen Nothern Lights in Rørvik when I was on the cruise ship but it looked like the bright cloud dancing in the dark sky. I wish I could see this in my life! Amazing.
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Glorious images!
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Amazing, something I’ve always wanted to see.
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wow, great photos and looks like a wonderful place to visit.
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Thanks for putting the settings on! I’m off to Iceland later in the month and, with a bit of luck, we might get some Auroras. Would trying a long exposure also work, or is not worth doing?
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Wow, this is fantastic!
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Splendid photographs of the Northern Light, and Iam so glad four you that you finally could take these pictures. Last year I hoped to see th Borealis light in Canada, but too early and traveled too far in southern Ontario.
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Wonderful shots! I have had the opportunity several times in Iceland, Norway and Greenland – but – no luck! So, I will have to return again for another chance to see it live.
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Beautiful!
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Spectacular photos! Although I’d probably mess up any attempt to photograph the northern lights, I would sure love to at least see them with my own eyes someday!
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Wonderful photos, Inger. And thank you for the information about your home town and the northern lights. I have never seen them. I don’t have a bucket list, but this phenomenon is certainly on my “list of things I’d like to experience”. 🙂
Unfortunately, I don’t like the cold and summer is just not the right season for this light show. It’s good to know that Alta offers a decent chance of seeing them in the winter. And, I’m with Lexie. Photographing them is another topic altogether.
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Fantastische beelden en uitleg over het noorderlicht.Mateloos mooi.
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Well… first of all, so glad you were born! 🙂 2nd – glad you were born in such an AY-MAY-ZING part of the world. 3rd – thanks for sharing!
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Such an incredible experience you’ve captured with this post ~ I’ve made plans in the past to travel to a couple areas where the Northern Lights are prevalent but have yet to follow through with such plans 🙂 Your post gives me renewed inspiraton ~ awesome work, Inger. Cheers to a great spring for you both.
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Absolutely astounding. Incredible photos, truly glorious. Great stories of growing up in Alta with such a magnificent phenomenon above your head. I yearn to see the northern lights, something I have never seen. This post just got me one step closer, thank you, Inger and Tor.
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Wonderful highlights 🙂
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