Exchange students experience the wonder of the Northern Lights
NEWS
During the early morning hours of Tuesday, the auroral activity was very high in the Umeå region. A small group of exchange students at Umeå University were thrilled to witness the Northern Lights (also known as aurora borealis) for the very first time and captured the moment with some amazing photographs.
Exchange students Jeroen Blankestijn and Hilde van Loo from the Netherlands, and Antoine Beauvillain from France, decided to visit Nydala Lake, one of Umeå’s most scenic destinations and an ideal place to see the Northern Lights. At approximately 1:00 CET, the sky suddenly transformed into a shimmering carnival of neon green swirls and spirals that is truly one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena.
Jeroen Blankestijn was eager to experience the Northern Lights and has been checking forecast websites regularly. “I first did not expect it but saw that there was high activity,” said Jeroen. “Since it was very clear I decided to just go out there to see it and it was totally worth it.”
Photos of the Northern Lights in Umeå by: Jeroen Blankestijn, studying on exchange from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
The ideal conditions to view the Northern Lights are under a clear, cloudless sky. November through April are ideal months, but it can be seen as early as September. Nydala Lake, just a short walk from Campus Umeå, is one of Umeå’s best places since it's helpful to be away from artificial light.
