Northern Lights seen on our Marco Polo cruise to Arctic Norway
The Cruise and Maritime Voyages visit to Norway on board Marco Polo was linked with a solar storm - giving us good views of the Aurora from on board and at Alta (inside the Arctic Circle). The sun shone during many of our days producing the special light and colours of the Arctic north. Snow came early to Norway this year and we wandered around Tromsø as the snow was falling. A beautiful cruise to a wonderful part of the world.
Thank you to all who came to our talks. Also, thank you to the ones of you who have kindly let me show your photos of the Aurora on our blog. Those of you who have already contacted me will receive a selection of images from the various locations - so you can have a copy for yourselves of the Northern Lights that you actually saw!
John Malits (of John Malits Photography - based in Liverpool) took some amazing photos throughout our Aurora viewing sessions. Here are some of his beautiful images:-
First view of Aurora from Marco Polo - early on 29th October
The Plough/Big Dipper seen through the green light
We reached Alta and then went out on excursions with the Glød Explorer team. We were treated to a display of the Northern Lights across all parts of the night sky from the time we stepped off the coach until we left Langfjordbotn at 10.30 pm.
The Northern Lights were with us as soon as we stepped off the coach at Langfjordbotn
The intensity increased and the curtain effect could be seen
Every region of the sky showed the light - and as we were about to board the coach, the lights were above us
Steve Barnett captured this superb display at the slate quarry just as they were about to leave
The Northern Lights seen as we left Honningsvåg
John Malits took this lovely view as we sailed away from Honningsvåg on 31st October. The display strengthened on our way to Tromsø.
Orion rising below and Auriga and Perseus above the Aurora from the stern of Marco Polo
The Aurora rising up through Gemini
Another view of the many displays of the Aurora that we were fortunate to see
Sailing south on 3rd November I saw the Moon just before the 1st Quarter in the sunset. We would never see the Moon so close to the horizon in this phase in the UK - showing just how far north we had travelled.
The circular Sea of Crises standing out on the lunar surface
The following two views show how the light adds wonderful colour to the white snow. The first is just as the sun has disappeared for the day behind the hill - around noon - making the snow suddenly appear a blue tint.
Blue snow at Skarsvåg
Setting sunlight at Kamøyvær on Magerøya island
As the sun sinks lower and lower on Magerøya island, the colours become even more picturesque. Another month and the Nordkapp region will be in the Arctic night with the sun never rising above the horizon. A beautiful part of the world and a cruise is the best way to visit as you see the Norwegian coastline at its very best.