FOLLOW THE STARS

With the northern lights peaking this year, celestial-obsessed travelers can watch the skies in luxury.

- Kayla Webley Adler

The ancient Greeks thought the northern lights were created by a chariot racing across the sky, alerting the sun and moon gods to the new day. To the Vikings, the dancing lights were reflections bouncing off the Valkyries’ armor as the female warriors traveled through the heavens, while the Finns thought the squiggles were the tracks of Arctic foxes, running so fast their furry tails left vibrant streaks of color in their wake. To modern-day travelers, the aurora borealis is a bucket-list item, an elusive natural phenomenon typically glimpsed by only the most dedicated of stargazers.

This year, those seeking out Mother Nature’s most spectacular light show are in luck: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the sun is approaching the apex (called the solar maximum) of its roughly 11-year cycle. The months of increased solar activity leading up to the peak—expected in late 2024 through early 2025—will give travelers the best chance to see the lights in the past two decades, and hotels and tour operators are rising to meet the demand of those seeking celestial experiences.