What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon seen in the sky at night. They are most visible in the Northern Hemisphere and can be seen from September to April.
The Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the sun that enter Earth‘s atmosphere, which reacts with molecules and atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases. The charged particles cause the gas molecules to glow or light up. The fantastic thing about these lights is that they are visible from many places on Earth besides the poles.
What are the Best Places To See Northern Lights In Canada And Why?
The Northern Lights are a beautiful phenomenon that can be seen in the skies of Canada. Canadians are lucky to have the opportunity to see them. There are many places in Canada where you can see the Northern Lights, but not all of them provide the same experience as others.
There are two types of Northern Lights: Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis. The Aurora Borealis is more common and is usually seen in North America, Europe, and Asia during the winter months when there is less sunlight in the sky. The Aurora Australis is rarer and is usually seen only near Antarctica during summer months when there is more sunlight in the sky.
7 best places to See the Northern Lights in Canada are:
1. Northwest Territories:
The Northwest Territories are a Canadian federal territory. It is made up of a massive land mass that covers most of the northern portion of Canada. It has an area of 1,379,073 km2 and is the second-largest federal territory in the country after Nunavut.
The Northwest Territories is home to some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world such as the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, Great Bear Lake, and Great Slave Lake. On average, the Northwest Territories offer perfect conditions for viewing the aurora for 240 nights per year.
2. Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian province in the prairies. It is the 7th-largest province in Canada.
Manitoba is known for its natural beauty, including its wide open prairies, lakes, and rivers, as well as a long coastline on Hudson Bay. The province has an abundance of natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals, and timber.
Churchill, in the far north of Manitoba, is right under the Aurora oval, which makes it a great place to see the Northern Lights almost 300 nights a year. Seeing incredible animals like belugas, polar bears, Arctic foxes, and more makes a trip here even more worthwhile.
3. Nunavut
Nunavut is located in the northern part of Canada. It is Canada’s biggest and newest territory. It was created on April 1, 1999. Nunavut has a population of over 35,000 people who speak Inuktitut, English, and French languages.
Nunavut is the most sparsely populated and one of the largest territories in Canada. The majority of its population lives in a small number of settlements along Nunavut’s southern coast or near the capital city Iqaluit on Baffin Island.
Nunavut is a great place to see the Northern Lights because it is in the far north and has a lot of open tundras. In December, there are only four hours of light, so people in the area can see the aurora often.
4. Yukon
The Yukon is a territory in northwestern Canada, the largest in the country. The territory is bounded by the U.S. state of Alaska to the west and northwest, British Columbia to the southwest, and the Northwest Territories to the east and northeast.
It’s one of Canada’s three territories (along with Nunavut and Northwest Territories). It is one of the best places to see these beautiful lights.
The Northern Lights Centre in Whitehorse is an excellent resource for those who want to know more about these natural phenomena and how to photograph them.
5. Alberta
It is Located in the northern part of Canada, Alberta has a population of 4.1 million people and is the fourth most populous province. The capital city is Edmonton and it is also known for its natural beauty, being home to over 2,000 lakes and rivers.
The northern lights are a popular tourist attraction in Alberta. They are visible from October to April but not every night.
The Geophysical Observatory at Athabasca University is in northern Alberta. It studies the magnetic effects of the Northern Lights on Earth.
Banff National Park is a great place to see the Northern Lights because it is completely dark at night and has very little light pollution. The aurora is most likely to be seen from September to mid-May.
6. Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador are provinces in Canada. The province has a humid continental climate with relatively mild winters but cold snaps that can be severe. The average temperature in January ranges from -15 to -20 degrees Celsius (5 to -4 degrees Fahrenheit). In July, the average temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).
The northern lights are not exclusive to Canada, but if you want to see them in their full glory, this region is where you should go!
7. Northern Saskatchewan
Northern Saskatchewan is a province in Canada that is known for its natural beauty. It is home to many lakes, forests, and rivers.
It is also the home to the Northern Lights. This phenomenon can be seen from November to March and usually occurs between 10 pm and 1 am.
What is The Best Time Of Year To See the Northern Lights In Canada?
The best time to see the northern lights in Canada is during the winter. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that can only be seen during the winter months.
The best time to see them is between October and March, so if you are planning a trip to Canada, make sure you go during this period.
The best time to see them is around 11 pm-2 am on a clear night when there’s no moonlight.
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