Every traveler's life list should include viewing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, one of nature's most spectacular phenomena.
From late November to March within the Northern Lights zone--latitudes 65 to 72 degrees--solar particles collide with atmospheric gases to create colorful curtains (near the South Pole, Aurora Australis are the Southern Lights).
Ideal viewing conditions are crisp, cold, clear, and cloudless skies with little light. You can see this most impressive light show--lasting from a few minutes to several days--in the following regions close to the Arctic.
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We asked our friends at Fodor's to put together their top 10 spots to see the Northern Lights. --Lola Akinmade
1
Alaska: View Northern Lights in the U.S.
2
Denmark: Visit Remote Norwegian Sea Islands
Flickr: ArcticBjarki
3
Scotland: Watch the Sky for a Weather Break
Flickr: madmack66
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4
Canada: Go North of the Border for Great Views
Tania Spencer/GNWT
5
Greenland: Experience Great Auroras All Over
John Kjær/Greenland Tourism
6
Finland: Listen for Your Aurora Alarm
Courtesy Visit Finland
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7
Iceland: Explore Beyond Reykjavík's City Lights
Flickr: ArcticBjarki
8
Sweden: Learn about Beautiful Blue Holes
Fredrik Broman/www.humanspectra.com courtesy www.imagebank.sweden.se
9
Russia: Brave the Arctic Cold for Arctic Lights
nouskrabs via Getty Images
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10
Norway: Observe Polar Night and Polar Lights
Courtesy Johnny Mazzilli/Innovation Norway