While Maine’s Northern location can mean some rough winters, there are some hidden benefits to being nestled up in the Northern Hemisphere. The ability to see the Northern Lights about three times a year might be one of the best.

Jeff Wallace / Flickr
The Northern Lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis) appear when gas particles in the Earth's atmosphere collide with charged particles that come from the sun's atmosphere. One of the most beautiful parts of the display is the incredible variations in color that appear strewn about the sky. These colors are dictated by the type of gas particles that are colliding. The most common color is a pale yellowish-green and it's produced by oxygen molecules located about 60 miles above the earth. Less often, a red aurora can be seen. These are created by high-altitude oxygen, at heights of up to 200 miles. Nitrogen produces blue or purplish-red aurora.

One of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Maine is Aroostook County. With very little light pollution, it’s far easier to see the otherworldly show than in places further South. If you can’t quite make it to The County, sit back and enjoy this incredible time-lapse from Moosehead Lake. The light show seen here is one of the best and there’s a good chance we’ll be spending the rest of our day just watching this on repeat!

Moosehead Lake Aurora from Mike Taylor – Taylor Photography on Vimeo.

Check out this article for more beautiful photos of Maine’s night sky.

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