Aurora Over Iceland

We journeyed to Iceland for two reasons: the scenery and the northern lights. We saw plenty of both.

We spent six nights in the country, four under dark skies outside Reykjavík (two at Efri Bru and two at the Hotel Ranga). Despite the clouds and rain that dogged us during the day, the heavens cleared for at least part of each evening, giving us a chance to enjoy the marvelous spectacle of dancing lights that are the aurora borealis.

Below are samples of some of the aurora photographs taken by various group members. Most images were acquired at Efri Bru on November 3rd and 4th — the displays on these nights were often very intense and lively.

As is always the case, the camera captured both more and less than we could see with our eyes. Colors often appear enhanced in the images, but capturing on film the delicate and fast-moving rays and curtains proved impossible.

There were times when the aurora could be seen shimmering and pulsing behind the clouds. Occasionally a break in the cloud deck gave us a hint as to what was happening overhead.

Martina mentioned that, in her experience, the aurora really popped out between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. She wasn't wrong. And even if a great display wasn't visible, a faint auroral glow often blanketed the sky.