A Night to Remember: The Story of a Perfect Night
26.6.2023
Written by: Juhani Vanhatapio
Empty sofa is the result of great solar wind values.
Empty sofa is the result of great solar wind values.
Introduction
John was lounging on the sofa, the time approaching half past seven on the night of March 23rd. The northern lights season was nearing its end as sunlight began to dominate the night skies. Nevertheless, this particular time of the year marked the high season for the northern lights, thanks to the spring equinox and favorable weather conditions. John didn’t have a scheduled aurora tour that evening, but as part of his routine, he felt compelled to check the solar wind values.
Solar wind values:
- Magnetic Field (BZ): +4
- Magnetic Field (BT): +20
- Speed: 500 km/s or 310 miles/s
- Density: 7 particles per cubic centimeter
John studied the values with keen interest. Both the speed and the density seemed promising, but it was the magnetic field that particularly caught his attention. The BT-value of the solar wind held great potential. If the BZ-value were to become negative, it could trigger an extraordinary display in the sky. The disparity between the BZ and BT values often led to the most impressive northern lights. The ideal condition would feature a high positive BT-value and a low negative BZ-value.
Merely 30 minutes later, the BZ-value had fallen. John’s heart skipped a beat in excitement as the BZ was now displaying a bold red value of -8 nT. Swiftly, John collected his thermal clothes, winter skis, and camera equipment. After packing his car and starting the engine, he hopped inside, his mind already planning the night’s adventure. Where should he venture tonight? Given that he had his skis with him, he was keen to do some wilderness skiing while hopefully capturing the northern lights against a picturesque backdrop. John decided on a North-East trajectory, keeping the final destination open to spontaneity.
First sighting of the aurora.
First sighting of the aurora.
Surprise On The Road
As John navigated the winding roads, he frequently glanced at the sky. Given the remarkable solar wind values, he knew it was only a matter of time before the night sky transformed into a spectacle of dancing lights. While clouds still affected his view, the bright hues of the northern lights began to shine through. Around half past eight, he spotted a small layby near the road and brought the car to a halt.
The sky was ablaze above him, just as he had anticipated after observing the BZ-value drop an hour earlier. A wide smile spread across his face as the camera captured the dazzling colors of the lights, showcasing hues of green, flashes of purple, and traces of blue.
Blue northern lights, the rarest color variation, captivated John. He had seen hints of blue in photographs before, but never with such intensity. The stunning blue display was a result of solar wind particles reacting with ionized nitrogen, casting a unique ‘blueish’ hue above the conventional green. The presence of blue was easily determined by the distinct colors visible above the green that weren’t red.
After spending nearly 10 minutes by the roadside, braving the cold and numbing his fingers, John decided it was time to move on. His current location was not ideal, indicating that further driving was necessary.
Northern lights by the lake.
Northern lights by the lake.
Things Get Interesting
Around 9 pm, John steered his car onto a frozen lake, following an ice road. Positioning his camera atop the ice, he captured some photos in the northern direction. Though this locale was typically one of his preferred spots, the persistent cloud cover made it less than ideal tonight. He could also sense the temperature plummeting, his fingers beginning to stiffen in the approximately -25° Celsius (-13° F) chill.
Glancing at the solar wind values on his phone, John noted that the situation was improving—the BZ value had now reached -10 nT. As his anticipation grew, so did his heart rate, warming his body despite the cold. While he had already witnessed great northern lights, he could sense that there was much more to come. The unanswered question was, how intense would the northern lights become, and how long would he have to wait?
Shaking off the cold, John sprang back into his car, cranking the heat to its maximum setting. It was time to hit the road again, in search of cloud free location.
Skiing under the northern lights is amazing.
Skiing under the northern lights is amazing.
Skiing Adventure with Northern Lights
After a journey of over 70 km, John finally found himself beneath a cloudless sky. Parking his car by the roadside, he secured his skis to his boots and began to glide along the snow. John cherished skiing, one of his treasured winter pastimes. He had a fondness for a specific type of ski, designed to effortlessly traverse fresh snow. Given the substantial snowfall, exceeding 60 cm or 24 inches, these skis were essential. Without them, navigating the snow would be near impossible. The mercury had dipped further to -30° Celsius (-22° F), a cold so penetrating he could feel it deep in his bones. To counter this, it was crucial to maintain a steady pace, the exercise keeping him warm.
As John skied through the harvested forest area, his gaze was drawn to the captivating lights that flickered overhead. He reveled in the solitude, just him, his skis, and the northern lights—truly a moment to cherish. Experiences like these were exactly why he adored living in Arctic Circle Lapland.
The northern lights seemed to consume the sky above him. They wrapped around him, transitioning from green in the south to an amalgamation of purple and blue in the north. To witness such a vibrant color palette on a typically colorless winter night was simply breathtaking.
Nights like these make a man smile.
Nights like these make a man smile.
Whole Sky Is Glowing
As the clock chimed quarter past ten, John watched the auroras morph into diffusive northern lights. While they might appear rather unspectacular to the naked eye, they painted the entire sky green in photographs. John savored the spectacle, curious about what might unfold next. Anticipation was mounting as the BZ value displayed a notably intense -15 nT.
While he skied, John came across some animal tracks, which he discerned to be those of a red fox. This sighting brought to mind a Finnish folklore tale, wherein a mythical firefox is said to create the northern lights. John scanned his surroundings for the elusive creature, but it had already vanished into the forest depths.
Northern Lights Corona with unique coloring.
Northern Lights Corona with unique coloring.
Northern Lights Corona
The diffusive northern lights maintained their glow for about 20 minutes before transitioning into one of the rarer shapes of northern lights—the corona. Aptly named after the Latin word for ‘crown’, the corona is a formation where the center of the northern lights hovers above the viewer, with streaks of aurora radiating in every direction.
John stared at the corona in disbelief. He’d witnessed the green corona numerous times, but this spectacle was something else entirely—the corona seemed to comprise all the northern lights colors: green, purple, red, and blue. A broad smile spread across his face. He realized his own luck. Many people go their entire lives without witnessing such a display. A wave of happiness swept over John. He cherished his life in Lapland, with all its wonders. The northern lights stood among the most majestic natural phenomena, imbued with deep personal significance.
Deciding to commit the moment to memory, John set off on his skis back to the car. Despite the warmth from skiing, the cold was beginning to creep in, and he was eager to explore another spot. He skied back to his car, the dazzling light show accompanying him every step of the way. He couldn’t help but reflect on his good fortune.
Northern sky with millions of stars.
Northern sky with millions of stars.
What Is Going On?
After a bit more driving, John brought the car to a halt by the roadside. He had found a spot offering a panoramic view of the surroundings. Although he contemplated skiing again, the biting cold made him reconsider. Opting for warmth, he decided to stay close to the car.
John captured a photo of the northern sky and, much to his surprise, it was devoid of northern lights. On occasion, during particularly active nights, the northern lights would migrate southward. It was rare for the Arctic Circle to be considered too far north; John hoped tonight wasn’t one of those rare instances.
Fatigue started to creep over him. The day had been long and the excitement of the spectacular light show had drained his energy. The warmth enveloping him inside the car was also lulling him into sleep. Despite his dwindling motivation and the urge to rest, John decided to persevere. The satellite readings were the best he had seen all season, and he was certain this night would be worth the wait. He cast his eyes towards the southern sky, realizing that the spectacle was about to commence in that direction.
The Southern Sky is About to Explode.
The Southern Sky is About to Explode.
The Northern Lights Explosion
John was astounded. The red northern lights had become visible as the celestial curtain of the aurora unfolded. He gasped in awe as the mesmerizing dance began to animate the sky.
Stunning red auroras.
Stunning red auroras.
With a rush of adrenaline, John sprinted to switch off the car and began capturing the spectacle. He was utterly captivated by the long streaks of lights painting the sky, adding a unique charm to each image.
Lady Aurora dances across the skies.
Lady Aurora dances across the skies.
An adrenaline surge coursed through John’s veins as Lady Aurora danced across the sky. A rush of dopamine flooded him, making him feel vibrantly alive.
Otherworldly experience.
Otherworldly experience.
John noticed the reappearance of the corona in the sky, its form so otherworldly that it surpassed anything he had ever witnessed in his lifetime.
Magic of Lapland.
Magic of Lapland.
John looked up, a chuckle bubbling up inside him. It was hard to imagine anyone would believe the spectacle he was witnessing. Could anyone truly fathom that such displays even existed?
A happy northern lights hunter.
A happy northern lights hunter.
A Perfect Night
Under the ethereal sky, John watched as the mesmerizing show gradually faded away. He had experienced exactly what he had hoped for. A feeling of gratitude welled up within him as he realized he had been privileged enough to enjoy such a spectacle at the season’s end. With the northern lights season drawing to a close, he knew these could be the last lights he saw for a while. Drawing in a deep breath, tears welled up in his eyes, not of sadness but of joy at the perfection of the night. After lingering a while longer, he decided to begin his journey back to Rovaniemi.
On the drive back, he tuned into some of his favorite podcasts. The weariness that had earlier crept up on him had evaporated, replaced by the adrenaline still coursing through his veins from the aurora show. After about 45 minutes on the road, he noticed the lights brightening once again. “Should I stop?” John pondered, and pulled into a bus stop. The clock struck half past midnight. As he stepped out of the warm car into the freezing cold, he felt a moment of discomfort, but it was quickly swept away by the breathtaking sight that greeted him in the sky.
Spiritual shapes.
Spiritual shapes.
Pulsating Northern Lights
John stood transfixed by the sight in the southern sky. The northern lights assumed a form that resembled a gigantic bird or a winged horse. He couldn’t quite pinpoint the shape. The lights were flashing in a dramatic fashion, reminiscent of disco lights, revealing their type – the pulsating northern lights.
Pulsating northern lights, rather than moving substantially, vary significantly in intensity, creating an almost disco-like effect. This pattern is among the most beautiful of northern lights, giving the impression that the whole sky is alive and pulsating.
John savored the final act of this celestial performance. Pulsating northern lights often signify the closing of the show, the grand finale. Anyone witnessing this display could be fairly certain that the following hours would be relatively calm. As the pulsating northern lights began to fade, John knew the night’s performance had concluded. A sense of satisfaction filled him. The night’s cold and fatigue were taking their toll, and the inviting warmth of his bed awaited him.
Video of pulsating northern lights.
Conclusion
The night of the 23rd of March 2023 was one for the annals of the Arctic Circle Lapland, a true spectacle of nature that left an indelible imprint on John’s memory. The solar wind values that night were extraordinary, far out of the ordinary, creating a cascade of wonder that stretched across the heavens. Every color imaginable in the Northern Lights spectrum was on display – brilliant greens, mystical purples, rare blues, and stunning reds danced and flickered across the sky.
The celestial shapes that night were nothing short of incredible, from towering pillars to celestial coronas, each more intense than the last, culminating in a breathtaking pulsating display. It was more than a mere show – it was a celestial ballet, a dance of lights that swept across the vast sky, illuminating the night with a display so spectacular it transcended reality.
The 23rd of March 2023 was not merely a date, but a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty of the Arctic Circle and a night that John, and anyone fortunate enough to have witnessed it, would never forget.