Dear Raiders,
The year 2017 is coming to an end, festive season is still on – and we have already bypassed winter solstice, which means we are heading towards longer days with light.
In northern Finland, though, the days won’t be very bright in early February. And it seems there’s not going to be full moon either at the period we’re staying up north. So let’s hope there’s at least clear sky, so we’re able to see the stars (Hopefully, there is no need to navigate by the stars)
More importantly, clear sky gives us the opportunity to see The Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis, which is the most beautiful colour spectacle of the nature.
WHAT IS THE AURORA BOREALIS?
The Aurora is an incredible light show caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. The lights are seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres.
Auroras that occur in the northern hemisphere are called ‘Aurora Borealis’ or ‘northern lights’ and auroras that occur in the southern hemisphere are called ‘Aurora Australis’ or ‘southern lights’. Both can be seen in the northern or southern hemisphere, in an irregularly shaped oval centred over each magnetic pole. Auroral displays can appear in many vivid colours, although green is the most common. Colours such as red, yellow, green, blue and violet are also seen occasionally. Usually the more colourful ones can be seen in Northern Lapland whereas south from North Pole, the Northern Lights usually appear in green. The auroras can appear in many forms, from small patches of light that appear out of nowhere to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains or shooting rays that light up the sky with an incredible glow.
For more information, check out :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora
http://www.visitfinland.com/article/on-the-hunt-for-the-northern-lights/
http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/northern-lights
http://www.aurora-service.eu/aurora-school/best-place-to-see-the-northern-lights/
For long periods of time we will be driving in the dark – or at least dim circumstances, usually with snow whirling around and especially behind us making the visibility somewhat challenging. Therefore it would be very important to mount a fog light behind your car, one that can be switched on and off when needed. More about lights in ” Tips and Hints on Preparing 2cv for Arctic Raid” that has been published earlier. Also make sure, when outside your car on the side of a road, you can be seen from distance: for your own safety, you should have enough reflectors on your clothing and/ or a flashlight (or headlamp) with you.
The starting day is getting closer and we will publish more information again soon. We’re happy to help if there’s anything you need to know.
Wishing you all Happy New Year, Bonne année, Gutes neues Jahr, Gelukkig nieuwjaar, Gott nytt år.
The organising team.
