THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

HAUKLAND BEACH, Vestvågøy

The aurora borealis (also termed the northern lights) is one of the most astounding natural phenomena  in this world, and has dazzled and mystified people with its spectacle for thousands of years.  The northern lights are the result of charged particles, emitted by the sun, traveling through space until they are attracted to the magnetic field generated by the earth.  Since this field is strongest at the earth’s poles, these particles will converge there, burning up as they enter the upper levels of our atmosphere and generating dancing patterns of color in the sky.  Sitting at 68° north latitude, Lofoten is an ideal location to one to witness (and photograph) this incredible display.  Our first night in the islands was the only night that combined clear skies with a view of the northern horizon, and I was able to capture this shot at Haukland Beach at around 2 am.