Speed of Light: The Dance of The Purple Northern Lights
13.6.2023
Written by: Juhani Vanhatapio
Hunting the northern lights with stunning moonlight.
Hunting the northern lights with stunning moonlight.
Introduction
At half-past eight on the evening of February 6th, John was leading a minivan filled with eager adventurers, all hoping to see the northern lights. The circumstances were promising, fueled by the fast solar wind speed and the enchanting presence of a full moon illuminating the Arctic landscape.
Solar wind values:
- Magnetic Field (BZ): 0
- Speed: 525 km/s or 326 miles/s
- Density: 4 particles per cubic centimeter
“Will we see the northern lights tonight? Is there a good chance?” a German tourist inquired from the backseat.
John replied with a touch of uncertainty in his voice. “The conditions are favorable, but the full moon might pose a challenge. It casts such a bright light over the entire sky that it could mask the northern lights if they are faint. If the magnetic field drops below zero, though, things could get interesting rather quickly.”
It’s commonplace for customers to question the likelihood of witnessing the northern lights. And that’s the tricky part: one can never truly guarantee a sighting, at least not from the Arctic Circle at 66° latitude. Perhaps a 90% certainty could be promised from Bear Island at 74° latitude, under clear skies. Yet John’s approach as a northern lights guide was straightforward honesty about the situation, always putting forth his best effort each night. Mother Nature can pull all sorts of tricks, making the hunt for the northern lights that much more thrilling.
John guided the vehicle onto a smaller road, which wound its way to a frozen lake. The site was chosen for its natural ice road, which could even accommodate the weight of a car. He parked near the lake’s edge, and led his group onto the snow-blanketed ice.
Northern lights are hiding in moonlight.
Northern lights are hiding in moonlight.
Bright Moonlight
At half-past nine, the group found themselves standing on the frozen lake, bathed in a magical moonlight so bright that headlights weren’t needed. The setting was picturesque, marred only by the conspicuous absence of the northern lights in the sky. As the minutes ticked by, a knot of worry began to form in John’s stomach.
“It doesn’t look promising,” the German tourist commented, a note of disappointment echoing in his voice. “How long do we typically have to wait?”
John responded with patient understanding. “It varies. At times we might wait for hours, hoping for the explosion to unfold, only for it to remain elusive. On other occasions, the sky bursts into dance early on, allowing us to relish the show several times.”
“I didn’t mean to sound impertinent,” the German tourist quickly apologized. “It’s just that seeing the northern lights has been our dream for years. We tried just yesterday, but to no avail.”
John, full of empathy, replied, “I understand. Please remember that seeing the northern lights is rarely straightforward. Some people wait years without a sighting. The only real course of action is perseverance and patience.”
Retrieving his phone from the depths of his winter jacket pocket, John began to analyze the solar wind values. A smile spread across his face as he noticed the magnetic field (BZ) had dipped to a value of -7.
“Listen up, everyone,” John announced with palpable excitement. “Things are looking up. There’s a strong possibility we might witness something extraordinary in about 40 minutes.”
Bright northern lights arc.
Bright northern lights arc.
Northern Lights Arc
Just as the clock inched towards ten in the evening, a radiant arc of the northern lights appeared grandly in the sky. The moonlight had concealed the fainter northern lights for the better part of the hour, but as they amplified, their brilliance broke through, painting a majestic arc high above. The group stood in awe beneath this celestial spectacle, absorbing the wonder unfurling overhead. As John began to capture the scene with his camera, he realized that the moonlight was enhancing the quality of the photographs. In its absence, illuminating the foreground becomes a challenge, requiring added attention to lighting. However, the vivid moonlight reflecting off the snow-drenched landscape gave the photos an immediate splendor straight out of the camera. The only thing John had to remain vigilant about was ensuring the subjects remained still during the two-second exposure time.
He meticulously adjusted his camera settings:
- Aperture: F2/8
- Shutter speed: 2 seconds
- ISO: 1600
These values allowed John to achieve a well-exposed shot with a fairly quick shutter speed. He found himself reminiscing about nights with minimal northern lights activity, when he would have to use an almost 30-second shutter speed. Such lengthy exposure times required subjects to remain motionless for an extended period – a challenging task. But as he was about to discover, he would soon need to adapt his settings once more.
Kiss under the lights.
Kiss under the lights.
Northern Lights with Moonlight
As the group gathered by the frozen lake, they watched in awe as the majestic northern lights arc began to transform. John caught his breath as the arc twisted and coiled upon itself, evolving into a magnificent northern lights spiral. He was enraptured by the breathtaking sight of the spiral dancing in the sky.
“Could you capture a picture of us kissing?” a Japanese customer inquired.
“Certainly,” John responded cheerfully, beginning to frame the image.
“Alright, it’s crucial not to move while you’re kissing,” John advised as he prepared to take the photo. “Fortunately, you only need to remain still for a few seconds. Imagine having to hold a kiss for 20 seconds!”
When John showed them the captured images, the Japanese woman was moved to tears of joy. John chuckled, the moment a heartfelt reminder of why he cherished his work as a northern lights guide. He found fulfillment in his livelihood, which entailed helping people experience the magic of the northern lights and immortalizing those memories in photos that would endure a lifetime.
Northern lights hunter.
Northern lights hunter and his reward.
A Personal Snapshot
Having photographed all his customers, John realized this was the perfect moment to capture his own image. As a photographer, it’s often the case that you don’t have personal snapshots from some of the most memorable nights. He wanted tangible proof of these experiences to share with future generations. Framing the shot from the ice road, he focused the lens on the lantern he was using as a prop and activated a 10-second timer. He dashed to his designated spot, gazing up at the lights with a joyful smile. “This is truly remarkable,” John murmured to himself. “I’ll remember this night for the rest of my life.”
The northern lights spiral, which had dramatically painted the sky, held its form for a total of 15 minutes before gradually fading. John always found this particular pattern to be his favorite due to its dramatic appearance. He checked the solar wind values again and was encouraged to see that they were still favorable. The most spectacular part of the show, he believed, was likely yet to come.
John decided to build a crackling fire atop the frozen lake. Anticipating a period of waiting – as is often the case when trying to predict the whims of the lights – he wanted to create a comforting atmosphere. He knew that the -7 magnetic field value would soon influence the spectacle above, and it was only a matter of time before something truly remarkable occurred.
Purple auroras appear.
Purple auroras appear.
Showtime
As John was busily preparing sausages for his group, a customer abruptly called out, urging everyone to turn their gaze towards the eastern sky.
Rising swiftly from the warmth of the fire, John fixed his eyes on the spectacle that was beginning to unfold in the sky.
“This is it, everyone!” he exclaimed, realizing this was the anticipated moment. “Let’s move away from the fire quickly and watch what happens next!”
The sky began to dance in an unusual manner, with rapid flashes of color appearing beneath the predominant green. The swift movement revealed the source of the vibrant display. The northern lights had transitioned to a magnificent purple.
Northern lights explosion.
Northern lights explosion.
Purple Northern Lights
As John knelt in the snow, he found himself beneath a sky that seemed alive, the northern lights dancing above in a dance faster than he’d ever witnessed. He was profoundly awed by their speed and the intricate patterns they wove across the expanse of the sky. They blanketed the entire dome above him, creating a moment that didn’t feel real. How fortunate could one be to witness such a radiant spectacle of light? John had never been particularly religious, but observing these mystic shapes forming overhead, he couldn’t help but feel a spiritual connection.
The intensity and rapid movement of the lights necessitated a reduction of the shutter speed to just one second. This was the fastest shutter speed John had ever used when photographing the northern lights. The photos revealed the full moon veiled behind the brightness of the northern lights – a testament to their incredible luminosity.
Every member of the group was utterly captivated, jaws dropped in amazement. None could have anticipated the show they were being treated to. It appeared the combination of a solar wind speed exceeding 500 km/s (300 miles/s) and a -7 magnetic field value had conspired to create such an extraordinary spectacle. The pressure that had been accumulating during the previous weeks of low activity was released explosively on this night, the 6th of February. The rapidly flashing purple lights left a deep impression on the entire group.
“Wow! I had no idea they could move so fast!” exclaimed the German tourist. “Is this a normal occurrence?”
“Far from it!” John replied, laughing, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. “This is the quickest I’ve ever seen them move!”
“And can you tell us more about the purple northern lights?” The tourist inquired, his eyes fixed on the mesmerizing display.
“Of the four colors of the northern lights, purple appears closest to the surface,” John explained. “They’re produced when solar wind particles react with ionized nitrogen. And they happen to be my favorite, precisely because they move so quickly. It’s akin to nature’s own fireworks.”
A mere five minutes after the mesmerizing show began, the northern lights faded and vanished. John, left speechless by the overwhelming gratitude he felt for witnessing the unimaginable, exhaled deeply and settled down in the snow. Looking around, he saw his customers all smiling and chatting excitedly.
John returned to the warmth of the fire to finish preparing the sausages. After the meal, he turned on the car and began the journey back to Rovaniemi. He knew, after such a release of energy, there would be no more displays to see for the next few hours of the night. As he drove back, he felt a profound sense of satisfaction. “What a splendid day to be alive,” John mused, his heart full of deep, unabashed joy.