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The Aurora Borealis
The Sun is the origin of the Aurora Borea-
lis. During the great solar explosions and
flare-ups, the Sun launches great amou-
nts of particles into space. When these
particles reach the Earth’s magnetic
shield, they are launched towards the cir-
cle surrounding the magnetic North Pole
where they interact with the upper layers
of the atmosphere. The energy liberated
produces the Aurora Borealis. This hap-
pens at an approximate altitude of 100
kilometres from the Earth’s surface.
The Norwegian Arctic region is one of the
best places on Earth to observe this uni-
que and surprising natural phenomenon.
The Aurora Borealis is more frequent at
the end of Autumn and the beginning of
Spring, and the best months to watch it
are October, February, and March. The
full Moon and places where there is a
lot of light should be avoided since they
diminish the experience of watching this
spectacular show of light.
cluding carpenters and steel workers from
Hungary”.
Goals unite!!
Contact with the residents is minimal. AL-
PINE employees speak English but, since
they do now speak Norwegian, relations are
rather superficial. “Nevertheless, one of our
colleagues plays soccer with a Norwegian
team. This has made it possible to break
the language barrier”, Gebhardt explained.
Goals bring us together!
The largest city in Finnmark
Alta is the largest city in Finnmark and one
of the leading academic and research cen-
tres in northern Norway. The first Aurora
Borealis observatory in the world was built
here in the nineteenth century, after which,
Alta was known as the Aurora Borealis City.
During the winter months, this explosive
dance of light and colour is visible, making
the sky flooded with a very special tone of
blue, something quite distinctive in Finn-
mark, which has served as the inspiration
for many writers and artists.
Rock carvings and engravings, protected
by UNESCO and dating back 2,000 to
6,200 years, are also found in Alta. A great
world of discoveries and adventures await
visitors in this region of Lapland in Norway.
o m m u n i t i e s
Northern Norway is also known for the Aurora Borealis, the midnight sun, Cape North, and safaris of
wild animals.
*6.
*8.
*7.
Photographs courtesy of the Norwegian Tourist
Office (www.visitnorway.com)
* Credits:
1.Terje Rakke
2.Bard Loken
3.Andrea Giubelli
4.C.H.
5.Kurt Hamann
6.C.H.
7.Teje Rakke
8.Stockshots