Our time in Tromsø was coming to an end but not before the highlight of the entire cruise, the Husky and Northern Lights experience. We were picked up by a coach outside the Raddison Blu Hotel in Tromsø and set off out of the city to the north. On arrival we changed into thick coats provided by the center to keep us warm and stop us getting muddy when meeting the Huskies. Soon we were heading towards the immense howling in the dark. Now, I rather like dogs, having been afraid of them in my youth, I now have a rather beautiful German Shepherd called Loki who has been my companion in many dark times. However, when faced with the howls of over 200 Huskies in the dark one could be forgiven for getting rather twitchy!
We entered their home and were confronted with overwhelming noise, smell but mostly the joy of the Huskies that meant they would get some cuddles from strangers. The experience though overwhelming at points, was a hugely positive one. I particularly enjoyed meeting the Husky pups afterwards. The next stop was a type of Yurt for a traditional Sámi meal where we had Bacalao, a type of stew that was slightly spiced but with just the right kick. Soon it was time for cake but that’s when it happened, a member of staff came in and said those magic words, ‘We have an Aurora starting.’ Immediately I abandoned the notion of cake and ran outside, to arguably the most amazing hour and a half of my life.
The Northern Lights are caused by Solar wind activity on the Sun. A Mass Coronal Ejection sends charged particles hurtling towards Earth and when it collides with gasses in our upper atmosphere the reaction is one of a melody of colour. Most people will see Green, though depending on how strong the Aurora is you can see, Red, Yellow, Blue and Purple. The difference in colour depends on the gas in the atmosphere is is reacting with. Green and Yellow are caused by Oxygen, Blue and Purple by Nitrogen with Red caused again by Oxygen at a height of around 150 miles. What occurs, with the science set aside, is a glorious dance of colour in the night sky.
Currently, until 2026 we are experiencing the 11 year cycle of activity on the Sun meaning an Aurora is far more likely, also the reason why it has been spotted this year as far south as Rome! This means now is the best time to see it until 2036 and who knows what the world will look like by then.
Anyone who has seen the Aurora Borealis will tell you that in order to see it best you will have to take long exposure photos, in fact I found my phone best to do this rather than my very expensive camera! However, of rare occasions the Aurora is so strong you can see all the colours with the naked eye, and today was our lucky day. The Aurora was in full strength raining down right above us, a sight I will take to my grave. Not only were we treated to the common Green, but Reds, Yellows, Blues and Purples danced alongside each other in a phenomenal way.
Taking time to get as many photos as possible I then put away my phone and simply watched colours dance in the sky. The Aurora was everything I had ever hoped it would be, getting on the coach to return to the ship I am not ashamed to say I shed a tear or two. So strong was the Aurora when we returned to the ship, an hour later, with all the lights on we could still see some green flickering across the night sky. My trip was made, I had succeeded in entering the Arctic Circle and watched Aurora rain down all around me.
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