Northern Lights and Stargazing

Northern Lights

The northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have become the most popular attraction for our guests. The Highland Center is superbly located for viewing the northern lights and is therefore a key destination for travellers exploring Iceland.

As The Highland Center is located in an unspoilt rural area, light pollution is not an issue during the winter months. Here you can immerse yourself in the countryside and enjoy perfect conditions for viewing the sky at night. Although there is never any guarantee of seeing the Aurora Borealis, if you stay at The Highland Center for a few nights, you have a fairly good chance to experience this magical phenomenon.

Northern Lights Spotting Guide
There are no accurate long-term forecasts for the Aurora Borealis (to our knowledge), and no research has been published on how the northern lights behave, or when they are likely to appear. However, slightly after the autumn equinox and slightly before the spring equinox, there are statistically somewhat better viewing conditions and more consistent northern lights.

Mainly, three variables affect the chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland: solar winds, local weather and the moon. The moon inhibits viewing of weaker Auroras. We have, however, seen some stunning northern lights under a full moon—especially during a very active solar wind. The main factor affecting the appearance of the Aurora is sun/sunspots/coronal mass ejections (CME) activity and local weather (i.e., clouds), which entirely determines visibility of northern lights.

Stargazing

Stargazing enthusiasts can enjoy Iceland's pure unpolluted night skies. The Highland Center is the perfect location. On clear nights, you can observe an impressive blanket of stars and—if you are fortunate—a magical display of the famous northern lights.

The night skies at the Highland Center are exceptionally beautiful. The constellations are clearly visible to the naked eye. With binoculars, you can even sweep the Milky Way, view craters on the moon, and witness the moons of Jupiter. If you are lucky, you can glimpse faraway galaxies. 

Stargazing at the Highland Center also provides the perfect opportunity for keen photographers to hone their night photography skills.