Murmansk Aurora Guide in Months Murmansk Aurora Guide

I don’t know how many of you have heard of the legend about the aurora. The editor below is going to introduce you to the aurora in Murmansk. In fact, there are not many places where you can see the aurora, but you can choose a specific time. Go and watch. Tips on chasing the aurora

1. How to understand the KP value of the aurora?

KP value - the magnetic index (KP) that measures the burst value of the aurora

Index ), the KP value sounds very professional, but in fact it represents the probability that we can see the aurora. The larger the KP value, the higher the auroral rate. When we go to see the aurora, we have to check the KP value of the day before deciding whether to go out to the outer suburbs or other locations to watch the aurora. Therefore, understanding the KP value is the basis for seeing the aurora.

KP<3 can see faint green light with the naked eye, and the camera can capture obvious green light.

3＜kp＜4 The naked eye can see green light, and the camera can capture faint purple light.

KP>4 The naked eye can see obvious purple light, and the camera captured the gorgeous purple and green light

2. Where is the best place to see the aurora?

Aurora are the most common They appear in two annular zones near the earth's north and south magnetic latitudes of 67°, which are called the Southern Aurora Zone and the Northern Lights Zone. Popular locations with a high probability of auroras are Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Alaska, Canada, Murmansk and other regions.

Here are some popular places in the Northern Hemisphere suitable for viewing aurora (from low to high latitudes)

Alaska, USA: latitude 54 degrees to 71 degrees

Norwegian Islands: 57 degrees latitude

Yellowknife, Canada: 63 degrees latitude

Iceland: 64 degrees latitude

Finland: 66 degrees latitude

Murmansk, Russia: latitude 68 degrees 40 minutes

3. What are the factors that affect the viewing of aurora?

There are three major elements in the formation of aurora: solar wind and earth's magnetic field ,atmosphere. So don't just rely on KP value. Predicting weather; predicting earth activities, etc. are all necessary conditions.

Auroral conditions can be summed up in one sentence: There is also active solar movement in the extremely clear Arctic Circle. Why choose Murmansk to chase the lights

Murmansk does not attract as much attention as Finland and Norway, but the aurora here is not inferior to those in Northern Europe where prices are extremely high. The following advantages will only convince you to come here to chase the lights. Aurora.

1. Good location

Murmansk (Murmansk) is located on the Kola Peninsula in northwest Russia and is the largest city in the Arctic Circle. More than 300 kilometers deep into the Arctic Circle. In addition to the aurora, it also has the highest latitude ice-free port.

According to incomplete statistics, Murmansk has the opportunity to see the aurora every winter half of the year (September to April of the following year), and the aurora is more likely to appear from November to March.

2. Short journey

It is more convenient to fly to Russia from major cities such as Beijing, and it saves time compared to some aurora locations in Northern Europe. SAS and Finnair are at a distance disadvantage.

Tips:

The flight from Moscow to Murmansk (one way) is about 2.5 hours, St. Petersburg to Murmansk (one way) is 2 hours, and the flight from St. Petersburg to Murmansk is Air tickets will be slightly cheaper.

3. Low prices

Compared with places like Northern Europe and Finland, prices are more cost-effective. The period from the end of the year to the Spring Festival in China is considered a high price period for air tickets, but compared with the pursuit of glory in Northern Europe and the United States, Price, Murmansk is still in an advantageous position!

Tips:

The round-trip price of Aeroflot from Moscow to Murmansk is basically 1,000-1,500 yuan (there will be an increase during annual holidays at home and abroad) , while Finnair’s direct round-trip flight is around 6,000 yuan. Murmansk light-chasing strategy

In addition to entry-level common sense, you also need some reliable prediction apps and light-chasing methods that suit you to formulate strategies and cure your travel woes. .

Those easy-to-use apps

1. MyAuroraForecastAlerts (supports German, French and English)

One of Aurora’s most recommended software, with a high prediction rate. Moreover, it is free software, so there is no need to circumvent the firewall. You can also download and log in directly in China. You can also locate the current location and predict the KP index. The disadvantage is that there are banner ads at the bottom of the software, which affects the effect.

2.MeteoEarth (supports Russian, Spanish, English, etc.)

It prefers weather software. Precipitation, typhoons, clouds of various heights, etc. can be predicted, but it is not free software.

3. Spaceweatherlive (website)

The mobile version of the software can facilitate timely tracking of predictions. If you want to warm up the aurora monitoring process and knowledge in advance, you can refer to the website. It is suitable for those who like to do their homework in advance. traveler.

To observe the aurora, the sky must be clear and cloudless at night to see it. The website can predict the degree of cloud coverage in the sky, making it easy to check the impact of clouds on the aurora.

4. Youdao Translator

The popularity of English among Russians is not high, especially in Murmansk and the remote Aurora area, so you must download translation software in advance to facilitate communication.

5. Yandex.Maps (Russian, English, etc.)

A map search app. If you fly from Xi'an to Moscow, you can use this software to search for maps. It is convenient. The reason is that you can switch to Russian, and you can directly ask the locals when the time comes.

6. Yandex.Taxi (Russian, English, etc.)

Similar to domestic taxi-hailing software, you can enter your English address or pay directly in cash. If you don’t want to be stopped casually, If you are a taxi driver, you can use this software to travel freely.

Choice of light chasing methods

In addition to chartering a car to chase the aurora, what other options are there? Choose a light chasing method that you like. There are many choices, so that you can be prepared.

1. Light chasing group

The so-called light chasing group means that it has relatively good aurora resources and information, and also has certain strength. Most light chasing groups are in the form of one-day tours. The cost is based on the itinerary. In addition to watching the Aurora at night, the 3-day and 5-day tours will also provide daytime activities and accommodation, but the overall itinerary cost is higher.

The more famous light-chasing tours in China include VisitMurmansk, MurmanskNorthernLightsAuroraBorealis, Nord

Tours, etc.

Tips:

You can register on the light chasing group website (only supports Russian and English), and the price is about 7,000 rubles per person.

2. Local chartered car

The cost of chartering a car is about 6,000 rubles. It is more cost-effective if there are more people. There will be many responsible chartered teams or drivers in the local area to help you go to Aurora viewing spots, or other suburbs. Wherever the Aurora appears, there are local charter teams that provide photography services. Professional photographers will help you solve your shooting troubles, and the cost is about 10,000 rubles.

Tips:

①The shooting light chasing team recommends Lovozero (Lovozero) base

The base is the choice for most people to chase light, and Lovozero is a The collective name of the village. Because of the frequent occurrence of auroras, it has become a famous aurora base. The base will also provide chartered services. Most of the accommodations in the base are family-run. Transportation is basically by snowmobile. You can go there by snowmobile at night. You can rent clothes at the base, and the price of a suit is about 900 rubles.

The advantage is that it is easy to see the aurora in the suburbs. The disadvantage is that the accommodation conditions are poor and the network signal is weak.

Address: Lovozero, Murmanskayaoblast

Price: 600 ￥ per person

Booking website: Airbnb

Murmansk city to Lovo Lovezero is about 185 kilometers and takes about 3 hours one way. The travel time for accommodation around the base is about 1 hour. It is recommended to book accommodation within the base 1-2 months in advance.

②Teriberka (Teriberka)

The chartered car from Moore Airport to Teriberka costs about

6,000 rubles. The price may increase during the peak season, and you can reach Teriberka by bus, but there are fewer local accommodation options and it is not as prosperous as Lovozero.

It is about 130 kilometers from Murmansk city to Teriberka (Teriberka), one way about 2 hours. The long-distance bus time from Murmansk Railway Station: Monday (17:35 pm), Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (18:00 pm)

Ticket price: about 500 rubles/person

Aurora is difficult to see in urban Murmansk. The following places are aurora Bases and towns with a high occurrence rate can be searched as key light-chasing locations. Accommodation recommendation

TouristicCenterYulinskaya

Salma, transliterated as Natasha, is one of the more well-known accommodation places at home and abroad, but it has mixed reviews. The price after becoming famous is self-evident. It is said that hot water is also available for a limited time. In addition to Natasha's house, the following accommodation locations have high reviews on major portals and can be used as a reference.

1.Boutique Hotel Renaissance

Transliteration: Renaissance Hotel

A newly opened hotel located in the urban area of ??Murmansk. If you plan to stay in the urban area of ??Murmansk, you can I chose his home, which is about 36km away from Murmansk Airport (Murmansk

Airport). The hotel offers well-equipped meeting rooms and an on-site spa. You can relax in the character-filled lounge with fireplace. There is also a restaurant serving multi-national cuisine.

Address: SofiPerovskoist., 18, Murmansk 183038, Russia

Price: 300 yuan per person

Booking website: TripAdvisor, Booking

Check-in start time: 14:00; check-out deadline: 12:00

2.MiniHotelTriZaytsa

Transliteration: Zaitsev Mini Hotel

The hotel also provides a private kitchen where guests can cook their own meals. It also provides free parking, luggage storage and other services. It is conveniently located, about 33km from Murmansk

Airport. Murmansk Central Train Station (Murmansk Central Train

Station) is about 1.5km. The hotel also provides hotel-like 4-bed rooms to meet the needs of budget travelers.

Address: Oktyabrskaya Ulitsa 29-2

Price: ￥100 per person

Booking websites: Mafengwo, Booking, Ctrip, etc.

3.Lodge SiyanieSevera

Transliteration: Northern Lights Hotel

Located near the Lovozero base, it is one of the more highly rated Airbnb B&Bs. It can accommodate up to 8 people and has panoramic windows overlooking the mountain view. , it feels like living in winter nature, where you can watch the stars, enjoy the snow scenery, visit the Husky Park, watch reindeer, etc. The disadvantage is that the signal is weak and the transportation is not convenient.

Address: ul.Khibinskaya41, Murmanskayaoblast, 184592 Lovozero, Russia

Price: ￥90 per person

Booking website: Booking

4. Lovozerotur Hostel

Located in Lovozero, it also provides barbecue equipment, where you can have a food carnival with friends. It also has rooms with different scenery themes, including city view rooms, river view rooms, and mountain view rooms. The beauty from every angle is different.

Address: ul.Khibinskaya41, Murmanskayaoblast, 184592 Lovozero, Russia

Price: ￥90 per person

Booking website: Booking

5. RestinTeriberka

It is known as the northernmost B&B in Teriberinka. It can accommodate up to 8 people. There are more convenient shops nearby, making it more convenient overall.

The accommodation in Teriberka is far less convenient than Lovozero, so it needs to be booked in advance, but the advantage is that it has a quiet beauty.

Address: Teriberka, Murmanskayaoblast, Russia

Price: ￥300 per person

Booking website: Airbnb Aurora shooting tips

Except for yourself Feeling the shocking charm of the aurora, I hope to take beautiful photos as beautiful memories. Master some shooting skills, and "newbies" can also shoot blockbusters.

1. Equipment preparation

1. Camera: Full frame is preferred, which can effectively control noise during high-sensitivity shooting.

2. Large aperture wide-angle lens.

3. Backup battery (battery wear is more serious in cold winter conditions)

4. SD card with enough memory, N memory cards

5. Tripod (a tripod that must be wind-resistant and has high quality requirements)

2. Shooting parameters

Exposure

The aurora exposure parameters are recommended to be 5-20 seconds, but according to In actual situations, most of them are between 10-15 seconds.

Sensitivity

Set the sensitivity (ISO) to 1600-3200. If the aperture is large enough, you can reduce the ISO appropriately and use manual mode (M mode) to shoot.

Focus

To use manual focus, adjust the lens to infinity, and finally manually retract the focus slowly, 1mm each time, and try multiple times.

Tips:

If you are lucky, you can see the aurora stream. If the speed is fast, you need to increase the ISO and shutter speed.

3. Shooting background and props

The background does not need to be messy or fancy. Generally, forests, tents, lakes, and open roads are the most popular aurora backgrounds.

Avoid brighter light sources. You can hold a flashlight with warm yellow light or an LED star light, which are excellent props for girls to take photos.

If you are a literary person and want to send a postcard of the gorgeous Aurora to your friends, you can go to the largest post office in Murmansk, PostofRussia ПочтаРоссии.

Store address: ul.Knipovicha, 47, Murmansk, Murmanskayaoblast, Russia, 183039

Official website: russianpost.ru