Northern lights in Canada: where and when to see them

Did you know you can see the aurora borealis from Canada? This natural phenomenon is visible between October and March. It is an amazing sight that attracts travelers from all over the world to see it. Here we tell you the best places to witness this natural wonder.

pole lights

Canada is one of the main places where you can see the aurora borealis, also known as Northern lights. This is a color light show that takes place in the Canadian night sky between October and March.

This phenomenon occurs when particles from the Sun collide with the Earth’s magnetosphere. When they collide, they move towards the poles, and since they have a lot of energy, they give off in the form of electromagnetic radiation, as waves, ripples and rectangular structures on the ionosphere.

This produces a green-yellow beam, due to oxygen, and blue-red gradients when interacting with nitrogen. This is how this landscape takes place, whose name is derived from Aurora, the Greek goddess of dawn, and Boreas, the Greek god of the north winds.

When and where do you see the aurora borealis?

Believe it or not, it is possible to witness this phenomenon in almost every corner of Canada, however, in the north of the country, it is the perfect region to spot it. The best places to see it are in remote communities where pollution and city lights are minimal.

December to March are the best months to see because the days have more hours than darkness and the nights are usually cool and clear. The best hours are usually after 10 PM to 2 AM.

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5 places to see the Northern Lights in Canada

Although it is possible to see the lights from any Canadian city or province, the following are the best places to see them.

1. Nunavut: Located on Baffin Island, it is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. This island belongs to one of the indigenous peoples of all of Canada. Therefore, you can enjoy the local culture and traditions.

2. Yukon: It is located in the northwest of the country and is a place where you can not only see the northern lights, but also during the summer solstice. Midnight sun.

3. jasper: An unmissable destination where you can enjoy crystal clear lakes and mountains and low pollution levels that make it the perfect place to view the Northern Lights.

4. Quebec: The town of Kuujjuaq in the province of Quebec is another ideal place to discover this natural phenomenon.

5. Churchill: Here auroras can be seen up to 300 nights a year. Dare to visit Churchill and you will not only be able to witness the northern lights, but you will also have the opportunity to see polar bears.

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Welcome! glad to meet you. My name is Nadia Martinez, journalist and communications specialist who graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, FES Aragón. I love learning about new cultures through gastronomy and customs. Thanks for reading my work.

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