I don't know how much you've heard about the legend of the aurora. The following small series is about the aurora in Murmansk. In fact, there are not many places where you can see it, but you can choose a specific time to watch it. Little knowledge of chasing aurora

1. How to understand the KP value of aurora?

KP value-the magnetic index (KP

Index) for measuring the aurora burst value. KP value sounds very professional, but it actually represents the probability that we can see the aurora. The greater the KP value, the higher the aurora 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 places to watch the aurora. Therefore, understanding KP value is the basis of seeing aurora.

KP < 3 The naked eye can see weak green light, and the camera can shoot obvious green light.

3 < KP < 4 The naked eye can see green light, and the camera can take a faint purple light.

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

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

Aurora is most commonly found in two annular zones near the north-south magnetic latitude of 67, which are called the Southern Aurora and the Northern Aurora respectively. The most popular places with high probability of aurora are Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Alaska, Canada and Murmansk.

here are some popular places in the northern hemisphere (from low latitude to high latitude)

Alaska, USA: 54 degrees to 71 degrees

Norway: 57 degrees

Yellowknife, Canada: 63 degrees

Iceland: 64 degrees

Finland: 66 degrees

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There are three elements in the formation of aurora: solar wind, earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. Therefore, it depends not only on KP value. Forecast the weather; It is necessary to predict the earth's activities.

aurora conditions to sum up: there will be active solar movement in the extremely clear Arctic Circle. Why did you choose Murmansk to pursue the light?

Murmansk has attracted less attention than Finland and Norway, but the aurora here is not lost to those northern Europe with extremely high prices. The following advantages will only convince you to pursue the aurora here.

1. Good location

Murmansk, located in kola peninsula, is the largest city in the Arctic Circle. More than 3 kilometers deep into the Arctic Circle. In addition to the aurora, there is also an ice-free port with the highest latitude.

according to incomplete statistics, Murmansk has the opportunity to see the aurora every winter half year (September to April), and the aurora appears more frequently from November to March.

2. The trip is short

It is more convenient to fly to Russia from major cities such as Beijing, and it saves more time than some northern European aurora locations. Nordic Airlines and Finnair are at a disadvantage in terms of distance.

tips:

The flight from Moscow to Murmansk (one-way) is about 2.5h, and from St. Petersburg to Murmansk (one-way) is 2h. The air ticket from St. Petersburg to Murmansk will be slightly cheaper.

3. Low price

Compared with northern Europe, Finland and other places, the price is more cost-effective. During the period from the end of the year to the Spring Festival in China, it can be regarded as the high price period of air tickets, but Murmansk is still in an advantageous position compared with the chasing price in northern Europe and the United States!

tips:

The round-trip price of Russian Airlines from Moscow to Murmansk is basically 1,-1,5 RMB (the annual leave at home and abroad will increase), while the round-trip direct flight of Finnair is about 6, RMB. Murmansk's light-chasing strategy

In order to chase the aurora, in addition to the entry-level common sense, you need some reliable prediction apps and a suitable light-chasing method, formulate strategies and cure the entanglement of travel.

those easy-to-use apps

1. MyAuroraForecastAlerts (supporting German, French and English)

One of the first softwares promoted by Aurora has a high prediction rate, and it is free software, which can be downloaded and logged in directly in China without climbing over the wall. You can also locate the current position and predict the KP index. The disadvantage is that there will be banner ads at the bottom of the software, which will affect the effect.

2. Meteor Earth (supports Russian, Spanish, English, etc.)

It prefers weather software, which can predict precipitation, typhoons and clouds at various heights, but it is not free software.

3.Spaceweatherlive (website)

The mobile version of the software can facilitate the timely tracking of predictive cakes. If you want to warm up the monitoring process and knowledge of Aurora in advance, you can refer to the website for travelers who like to do their homework in advance.

aurora can only be observed when the sky is clear and cloudless at night. The website can predict the coverage of clouds in the sky, and it is convenient to check the influence of clouds on aurora.

4. There is a translator

The English penetration rate of Russians is not high, especially in Murmansk and the remote Aurora area, so it is necessary to download translation software in advance to facilitate communication.

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

A map search app. If Xi 'an flies to Moscow, you can use this software for map search. The convenience is that you can I switch Russian, and you can directly ask the local people then.

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

Similar to domestic taxi software, you can enter an English address or pay directly in cash. If you don't want to be killed by a taxi stopped casually, you can use this software for free travel.

choice of light chasing mode

besides chartered cars, there are other options for chasing aurora? Choose a way of chasing light that you like, and choose a lot, so that you can be prepared.

1. Light-chasing group

The so-called light-chasing group has relatively good aurora resources and information, and also has certain strength. Most light-chasing groups are in the form of one-day tours, and the expenses are stipulated in the itinerary. In addition to watching the aurora at night, the three-day tour and the five-day tour will also provide daytime play activities and accommodation, but the overall travel expenses are high.

The famous light-chasing groups in China are VisitMurmansk, MurmansKnorthernlight Sauroraborealis, Nord

Tours and so on.

tips:

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

2. Local chartered car

It's about 6, rubles, so it's more cost-effective to have more people. There will be many chartered teams or drivers in the local area to help you go to the Aurora viewing area or other places in the suburbs where the Aurora can appear. There are also chartered teams providing photography services, and professional photographers will help you solve your shooting troubles, and the cost is about 1, rubles.

tips:

① Lovozero base is recommended by the shooting team.

Lovozero is the choice for most people to pursue light. Lovo Zero is a collective name of a village. Because there are many aurora, it has become a famous aurora base. The base will also have a chartered car service. Most of the accommodation in the base is family-run, and the transportation is basically snowmobiles. You can rent clothes by snowmobiles at night.

the advantage is that it is easy to see the aurora in the suburbs, but the disadvantage is that the accommodation is a little poor and the network signal is weak.

Address: Lovozero,Murmanskayaoblast

Price: 6 RMB per capita

Booking website: Airbnb

It is about 185 kilometers from Murmansk downtown to lovozero, and the one-way trip takes about 3 hours. The accommodation trip around the base takes about 1 hour. It is recommended to book accommodation in the base 1-2 months in advance.

②Teriberka (Teriberka)

It is about

6, roubles to charter a bus from Moore Airport to Teriberka. The peak season may rise, and you can take public transportation to Teriberka, but there are few local accommodation options and it is not as prosperous as Lovozero.

it's about 13 kilometers from Murmansk downtown to Teriberka (Teriberka), and the one-way trip takes about 2 hours. The time of taking the long-distance bus at Murmansk Railway Station is Monday (17:35 pm), Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (18: pm)

Ticket price: about 5 rubles/person

Aurora is in Murmansk. Accommodation recommendation

Tourist Center Yulinskaya

Salma, transliteration of Natasha is one of the well-known accommodation places at home and abroad, but there are different opinions, and the price after becoming famous is self-evident. It is said that hot water is also supplied within a limited time. Except Natasha's home, the following accommodation places are highly praised in major portals and can be used as a reference.

1. Boutique Hotel Renaissance

transliteration: Renaissance Hotel

The newly opened hotel is located in Murmansk urban area. If you plan to stay in Murmansk urban area, you can choose his home, which is about 36km away from Murmansk

Airport. The hotel provides well-equipped meeting rooms and an internal Spa center. You can relax in the distinctive lounge with fireplace. There is also a restaurant offering multinational dishes.

Address: Sofiperovskoist., 18, Murmansk 18338, Russia

Price: 3 RMB per capita

Reservation websites: Catway Eagle, Booking

Check-in start time: 14:; Deadline for check-out: 12:

2.MiniHotelTriZaytsa

transliteration: zaitsev Mini Hotel

Hotel also provides a * * * kitchen, where guests can cook by themselves, providing free parking and luggage storage services, and the location is convenient, about 1.5km away from Murmansk

Airport and away from Murmansk. The hotel also provides a four-bed room similar to a hostel, which can meet the needs of economical travelers.

Address: OktyabrskayaUlitsa29-2

Price: 1 RMB per capita

Reservation websites: hornet's nest, Booking, Ctrip, etc.

3. Lodgesianyaniesevera

Transliteration: Northern Lights Hotel

is located near Lovozero base, which is the one with more comments among Airbnb. Overlooking the mountain view, you can have a feeling of living in nature in winter. You can watch the starry sky, enjoy the snow scene, visit Husky Park, watch reindeer, etc. The disadvantage is that the signal is weak and the traffic is not convenient.

Address: Ul. Khibinskaya 41, Murmanskayaobast, 184592 Lovozero, Russia

Price: 9￥

Reservation website: Booking

4. Lovo Zoturur Hostel

Located in Lovo Zero, it also provides barbecue equipment, where you can have a food carnival with friends.

Address: Ul. Khibinskaya 41, Murmanskayaobast, 184592 Lovo Zero, Russia

Price: 9￥

Reservation website: Booking

5. Restibierka

It is known as the northernmost hotel in Jieli Belinka, with a maximum occupancy of 8 people and convenient shops nearby.

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

Address: Teriberka,Murmanskayaoblast, Russia

Price: 3 RMB per capita

Booking website: Airbnb aurora shooting tips

Besides feeling the shocking charm of the aurora, I hope to take beautiful photos as a good souvenir, and master some shooting tips. A "rookie" can also shoot large movies.

1. Equipment preparation

1. Camera: Quan Huafu is preferred, which can effectively control noise when shooting with high sensitivity.

2. Wide-angle lens with large aperture.

3. Spare batteries (batteries are more worn out in cold winter)

4. SD card with enough memory, n memory cards

5. tripod (tripod with high quality)

2. Shooting parameters

Exposure

Aurora exposure parameters are recommended to be 5-2 seconds, but according to the actual situation.

sensitivity

the sensitivity (ISO) is set to 16-32. If the aperture is large enough, the ISO can be reduced appropriately, and shooting should be done with manual (M-range).

focusing

to use manual focusing, adjust the lens to infinity, and finally manually retract the focal length, 1mm at a time, and try several times.

tips:

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

3. Shooting background and props

The background need not be messy and fancy. Generally, forests, tents, lakes and empty roads are the most common aurora backgrounds.

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

If you want to send a postcard of gorgeous aurora to your friends, you can do it at PostofRussiaПочтаРоссии, the largest post office in Murmansk.

store address: ul. knipovich cha, 47, murmansk, murmanskayaoblast, Russia, 18339

official website: russianpost.ru