New Brunswick's Aurora Viewing

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a rare sight in New Brunswick, Canada. In May 2024, a solar storm brought the colourful spectacle to the night skies of the province, with hues of purple, pink, and green visible to onlookers. While the northern lights are more commonly seen in the Arctic regions of Canada, they can occasionally be spotted further south, as was the case in New Brunswick. The phenomenon occurs when particles emitted from the sun, known as solar wind, strike the Earth's atmosphere, causing atoms to react and release light.

Where in New Brunswick can you see the Northern Lights?

New Brunswick is located in the far eastern part of Canada along the northern Atlantic coast. The province offers many pristine stargazing opportunities, including several spots to view the Northern Lights.

One of the dark sky reserves in Canada, Kouchibouguac National Park is located on the central part of New Brunswick's coast, away from the city lights of Fredericton and Moncton. It's also protected from the more dramatic ocean by barrier islands, salt marshes, and forests, making it a great spot for exploring nature and seeing wildlife. After dark, you can camp in the park to enjoy the stars above and, if you're lucky, the Northern Lights.

Located inland, Mount Carleton Provincial Park is another dark sky preserve that takes advantage of the open space in New Brunswick. You'll need to plan ahead for a multi-day trip to Mount Carleton, as services are pretty limited in the surrounding region. That helps ensure almost no light pollution, which is perfect for viewing the aurora.

In May 2024, the Northern Lights made a rare appearance in New Brunswick, with hues of purple, pink, and green visible across the province. Residents of Lower Cambridge saw a full spectrum of colours, and the lights were also observed in Warwick Settlement, west of Miramichi, and Petitcodiac.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in New Brunswick?

The best time to see the Northern Lights in New Brunswick is during the autumn and winter months, from September to February. The likelihood of spotting the Northern Lights increases as the nights get longer, with November and December being peak months.

While it is possible to see the Northern Lights in New Brunswick in spring (March to May), the chances of seeing them decrease as summer approaches, and summer itself (June to August) is not a good time to try and see the lights as the days are too long.

In New Brunswick, the best places to see the Northern Lights are Kouchibouguac National Park and Mount Carleton Provincial Park, both Dark Sky Preserves with little light pollution.

For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, head to a dark area away from city lights and look towards the north and lower on the horizon.

What causes the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, or the aurora borealis, are a natural light display caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with Earth's magnetic field. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, collide with atmospheric gases, producing vibrant hues that dance across the night sky.

The sun constantly ejects charged particles from its corona, or upper atmosphere, creating the solar wind. When that wind hits Earth's ionosphere, or upper atmosphere, the aurora is born. The sun's particles are deflected toward the Earth's magnetic poles, interacting with the atmosphere and causing it to fluoresce.

The bright colours of the Northern Lights are dictated by the chemical composition of the Earth's atmosphere. Different atoms and molecules in the atmosphere absorb and radiate their own unique set of colours. For example, nitrogen molecules produce red hues, while oxygen molecules produce green.

The Northern Lights have captivated people for millennia, and their mystique remains as alluring as ever. Even with our modern understanding of the science behind the phenomenon, astronomers continue to describe the experience of witnessing the Northern Lights as "like real magic happening in front of your eyes".

How common is it for the Northern Lights to appear in New Brunswick?

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are an atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when particles emitted from the sun, sometimes called solar wind, strike the earth's atmosphere. In the northern hemisphere, this phenomenon is called the Northern Lights, and in the southern hemisphere, it is called the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis.

New Brunswick, located in the far eastern part of Canada along the northern Atlantic coast, offers pristine stargazing opportunities similar to those found along the Maine coast in the United States. The province has two dark sky reserves: Kouchibouguac National Park and Mount Carleton Provincial Park. These parks are located away from the city lights of Fredericton and Moncton and offer ideal conditions for stargazing and viewing the Northern Lights.

While it is possible to see the Northern Lights in New Brunswick, the occurrence is rare. On May 11, 2024, a solar storm brought the Northern Lights to parts of Southern Canada, including New Brunswick. Residents of Warwick Settlement, west of Miramichi, and Lower Cambridge reported seeing hues of purple, pink, and green. Petitcodiac resident Ivan Anderson described the display as the best he had ever seen from the town.

The likelihood of witnessing the Northern Lights in New Brunswick depends on several factors, including the time of year, solar activity, and light pollution. Generally, the autumn and winter months offer a better chance of viewing the Northern Lights as there are more hours of darkness. Additionally, stronger solar activity can result in more intense and frequent displays. To maximize the chances of seeing the Northern Lights, it is recommended to find a dark location away from city lights and look towards the north.

In summary, while the Northern Lights can occasionally be seen in New Brunswick, it is not a frequent occurrence. The province offers suitable conditions for aurora viewing during certain times of the year, and with the right solar conditions, residents and visitors may be treated to a stunning display of the Northern Lights.

What colours can be seen in the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a stunning natural light display that occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere. The result is a vibrant spectacle of colours that dance across the night sky.

The colours of the Northern Lights are determined by several factors, including the composition of gases in the Earth's atmosphere, the altitude at which the aurora occurs, the density of the atmosphere, and the level of energy involved.

The most common colour observed in the Northern Lights is green, produced when charged particles, mainly electrons, collide with oxygen molecules at altitudes of 100 to 300 km above the Earth's surface. The energy from these collisions is transferred to the oxygen molecules, which then release energy in the form of green light.

Red auroras are rarer and are created when solar particles collide with atomic oxygen at altitudes of over 241 km (150 miles). At this height, the oxygen is less concentrated, and the collisions produce a short-lived crimson flash.

Purple and blue auroras occur when charged particles interact with nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere. Purple can also be the result of interactions between solar particles and oxygen and hydrogen. These colours are usually observed at the lower edges of the aurora and are less common due to their shorter wavelengths.

Yellow auroras are also relatively uncommon and result from a combination of oxygen and nitrogen molecules being excited at different altitudes, producing yellowish hues.

Additionally, pink and orange hues can occasionally be observed at the lower edge of the aurora, produced by nitrogen molecules at altitudes of around 100 km.

The Northern Lights are a breathtaking natural phenomenon, and the variety of colours they display adds to their allure and beauty. The interplay of vibrant hues dancing across the night sky creates an unforgettable spectacle for those lucky enough to witness it.

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