The Most Stunning Photos Of The Northern Lights

People all over the world are fascinated by the glow of the Northern Lights. In fact, this dancing wonder has driven folklore and influenced religion and art for centuries.

According to NASA, the Northern Lights are "the closest and most dramatic manifestation of space phenomena." The remarkable shades that pepper the sky form when plasma particles escape from sunspot regions on the surface of the sun. Known as a solar wind, these particles then collide with Earth's magnetic field and form of dramatic a display known as the Aurora Borealis.

This natural wonder is referred to as the Northern Lights because it occurs most frequently in the auroral zone that extends over northern Scandinavia, the southern tip of Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, and the northern coast of Siberia. You can also see it northern parts of the United States. The biggest concern is finding clear skies, which are never guaranteed no matter where you live or visit. So your best bet is to try and find areas away from heavily populated cities.

Science also tells us that the frequency of the solar storms that create the Northern Lights is on an 11-year cycle. At the start of a new cycle, the Lights will be understated. As the solar storms continue, the Aurora will only get bolder and brighter. So as we wait for the vivid wonder to return to its biggest, brightest state, here are some of the most stunning photos of the Northern Lights.