Northern Light (Aurora Borealis) is a big attraction in the Icelandic winter, but it’s not so easy to catch. It depends on the intensity of the solar wind, the interaction between the interplanetary and the earth magnetic fields and – obviously – the  weather, all factors on which the human will has no influence whatsoever.

(See also Iceland in the Summer)

Aurora Borealisis (Northern Light) is the result of electrons colliding with the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere. Protons cause faint and diffuse aurora, usually not easily visible to the human eye. (NOAA–National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 ƒ/1.4) 3″ ƒ/3.5 ISO 800

A rusted barrel, once containing an undefined something, dispersed on the plain facing Þikkvibær

Our Land Rovers surrounded by a flock of birds on the beach near Þikkvibær. Nikon D750, 400 mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1000″ ƒ/5.6 ISO 100

Four swans (Cignus cignus), disturbed by our arrival, fly in formation southbound on the river Djupos. Nikon D750, 400 mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/200″ ƒ/6.3 ISO 100

Seljalandsfoss, Iceland. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85.0 ƒ/1.4) 1/125″ ƒ/16 ISO 160

Vestmannaeyjar islands viewed from Seljalandsfoss. Nikon D750, 185 mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/200″ ƒ/6.3 ISO 100

Skogafoss. The presence of a human being gives the idea of the scale of this gigantic fall. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85.0 ƒ/1.4) 30″ ƒ/8 ISO 200 with the big stopper and a ND 6H filter.

United States Navy Douglas Super DC-3 airplane, forced to an emergency landing on Sólheimasandur’s beach. Nikon D810, 20 mm (20.0 ƒ/1.8) 1/125″ ƒ/7.1 ISO 64

The farallon emerging from the Black Sand Beach right at the entrance of the Reynisfjara lagoon. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85.0 ƒ/1.4) 1/25″ ƒ/5 ISO 64

The church overlooking Vik. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85.0 ƒ/1.4) 1/320″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

The Troll Rocks at the tip of Reynisfjara, facing Vik. Nikon D750, 155 mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/160″ ƒ/11 ISO 100

Hjörleifshöfði viewed from the Black Sand Beach in Vik. Nikon D750, 185 mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/125″ ƒ/5.3 ISO 100

Northern Light in a starry sky near Dyrhólaey. The name “Aurora Borealis” was given after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas, by Galileo in 1619. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 ƒ/1.4) 6″ ƒ/2.2 ISO 200

The cliff overlooking the Black Sand Beach near Vik, Iceland. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85.0 ƒ/1.4) 1/100″ ƒ/3.2 ISO 64

L’Aurora Boreale esercita una forte attrazione nell’inverno islandese, ma incontrarla non è poi così banale. La sua visibilità dipende dall’intensità del vento solare, dall’interazione tra i campi magnetici del Sole e della Terra e – ovviamente – dal meteo, fattori su cui la volontà umana non ha alcuna influenza (vedere anche Islanda in Estate)