The 6 Best Places To See The Northern Lights

While we once (ahem, college) thought nothing of staying up past midnight, these days it takes something truly special to keep us awake past our bedtime. And nature’s light show definitely fits the bill. Quick astronomy lesson: The northern lights are actually solar particles blown into the earth’s magnetic field, creating an awe-inspiring colorful display of emerald green, magenta, turquoise and more swirling through the sky. Although they’re present all year round, the best time to see them is from late September to late March. Here are six spots around the world where you can check viewing the magical aurora borealis off your bucket list.

Related: The 8 Most Beautiful Places to Go Stargazing in the U.S.