Iceland

I did it. I went ahead and booked a trip to Iceland for March 2014. The deal was too incredible to pass up. Glacier walks? Golden Circle tour? Geysers? Geothermal natural steam baths and warm sand beaches in winter? Hunting for the elusuve and magical Aurora Borealis after a traditional Icelandic dinner? All that included with air and hotel? Yes. Sign me the hell up.

I chose to go to Iceland in winter because if I am going to be in the arctic circle where auroral activity happens, I'm going to try like hell to see it. I researched relentlessly about the best times to see the Northern Lights and settled on the new moon in March.

Sept/October & February/March were the months that seemed to have the best chances for potential viewing, however I am extremely aware that there is a VERY good chance I will not see the spectacle at all. There could be rain/snow, there could be cloud cover, there could be no or very low solar activity, I could just have bad luck. I have prepared myself for that disappointment, and figure it will give me a reason to return to the arctic circle again if I don't catch a glimpse this trip. Iceland looks absolutely AMAZING otherwise, so seeing the dancing lights will just be icing on the cake if it happens.

I do have to say though, if there was a time where the chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis were the best, 2013/2014 would be it. The peak of solar activity for this solar cycle has been approaching for the last year or so. Actually, there was seemingly one peak already, but experts are predicting another peak at the end of the year and into 2014. The peak is considered to be when the sun's magnetic field reverses polarity- the north pole already has changed polarity, signaling the first peak, which means that very soon (4 or 5 months from now) the south pole will catch up and flip polarity, beginning a second peak of activity; as solar storms become much more active with the changing of the poles.

These solar cycles last 11 years approximately, and right now is the mid point of the cycle and the highest point for solar activity, solar flares...meaning the most chances to see the Northern Lights. Here's hoping!