I was lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis with my very own eyes during a trip to Iceland a couple of years ago. It was breathtaking and something I would gladly see again and again a million times. That’s not possible at the moment, of course, but that’s okay. If you want to take in the glorious display from the comfort of self-isolation, you can stream the Northern Lights live every single night.
- This is an opportunity to see something phenomenally beautiful. The Churchill Northern Studies Centre situated on northern Manitoba’s Hudson Bay in Canada has set up a camera that live streams the sky in the area 24 hours a day. Lucky for us, the Northern Lights regularly make an appearance there.
- It’s one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. The stream just so happens to be located just under the aurora oval, which offers a uniquely special vantage point when it comes to seeing the Aurora Borealis with your own eyes.
- It takes a lot to bring this stream to life. While setting up a live stream of the Northern Lights seems simple enough, it’s actually much more complicated than you might expect. As BJ Kirschhoffer, director of field operations with Polar Bears International, told Thrillist in an email, “The system that makes the Northern Lights cam work is extremely complex. We shoot the internet over 51 miles of tundra to bring these streams to people all over the world. Not only does the system require sophisticated equipment but also partnerships. Polar Bears International and Explore.org work with the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Parks Canada, Frontiers North Adventures, and the local school system to make this all work.”
- The stream has been going for eight years now but it’s more popular than ever. Now that people are stuck inside nonstop, the stream has suddenly picked up more steam recently, which makes a lot of sense. “When originally conceived, our goal was to utilize our existing infrastructure to provide a view showcasing another one of nature’s totally amazing phenomenons to anyone curious enough to click a link and explore on the internet,” Kirschhoffer explained. “I think the aurora camera and the other explore cams offer people a taste of nature where they may not otherwise have the opportunity.”
- This will prepare you for the wonder of seeing the Northern Lights in real life. While simply viewing the Lights via an internet stream doesn’t hold a candle to seeing the real thing, it will at least give you a taste of what it’s like and prepare you very slightly for the beauty you’ll one day hopefully get to behold, and that’s something to be grateful for. You can stream the Northern Lights live HERE.
