Northern Lights at Lake Koirajärvi

On a clear, dark evening, you may be able to see and photograph the Northern Lights close to Mökki Tikka. A sighting is never guaranteed.

The fox’s fire

The Finnish word revontulet means “fox fires”. According to a legend, a magical fox runs through Lapland’s deep snow. Its tail brushes the snow and sends sparkling crystals into the sky, where they create the dancing lights.

Stories of spirits

Other traditions describe the aurora as a bridge between the living and the dead, guiding souls on their journey. Some Sámi stories interpret the lights as a warning or blessing and advise people not to whistle at them or disturb the spirits. These are stories associated with the lights, rather than an explanation of the natural phenomenon.

When can you see them?

The long, dark nights from late September to late March offer opportunities for aurora watching. The bright summer nights are unsuitable. Displays are often observed between 21:00 and 02:00, but can occur at other times during the night.

What causes the colours?

Solar activity sends charged particles into space. Interactions in Earth’s upper atmosphere with oxygen and nitrogen produce the light. Green is common; violet, red and pale shades also occur.

Conditions for watching

• A clear sky: clouds can hide the display.
• A dark setting away from artificial light.
• Patience and warm clothing, as you may spend hours outside.

The surroundings of Ranua and Koirajärvi have little light pollution. With luck, you can photograph the lights from the cabin’s jetty, sometimes reflected in the water or on the ice.

Plan your evening

Aurora forecasts, cloud forecasts and live cameras, for example in Rovaniemi, help you judge the conditions. Apps can show the estimated likelihood of activity, but cannot promise a sighting.