Iceland review - 2013, Page 66

64 ICELAND REVIEW
NORThERN LIGhTs
The first written account of norðurljós, which is what
the northern lights are called in Icelandic, can be found
in ancient Norse literature, in the chronicle Konungs
Skuggsjá, dating back to 1230. The chronicler had heard
about the phenomenon from a compatriot returning
from Greenland. He gives three possible explanations
for the northern lights: either the ocean was surrounded
by a vast fire, the sun’s flares could reach the night, or
perhaps the glaciers stored energy, which eventually
caused them to become fluorescent.
How do you capture the northern lights? First you
need a clear dark sky. Checking out the Icelandic Met
Office’s aurora forecast on vedur.is should be your first
step in planning the perfect shot. Next you need a
Lake Þingvallavatn in south iceland.