The Aurora Borealis is surrounded by legend and folklore. But as we sit in the middle of a massive Solar Maximum in 2026, it’s time to clear up some of the most common misconceptions so you don’t miss out on a great show.
Myth 1: “It has to be cold to see the aurora.”
The Truth: The temperature on the ground has zero impact on the lights. The aurora happens 60 to 200 miles above the Earth’s surface. We associate them with the cold because they are best seen in the Arctic during winter, but you can see them in a T-shirt during a strong late-August geomagnetic storm!
Myth 2: “They only appear in the dead of winter.”
The Truth: Auroras happen year-round. The only reason we don’t see them in summer is because the sun doesn’t set far enough north (the “Midnight Sun”). In fact, the Equinoxes (March and September) are statistically the best times to see the lights due to the “Russell-McPherron effect” where Earth’s magnetic field aligns perfectly with the solar wind.
Myth 3: “A full moon ruins the view.”
The Truth: While a bright moon makes faint auroras harder to see, it actually makes for better photos. The moon illuminates the landscape (mountains, trees, snow), giving your photos context and depth that a pitch-black night can’t provide.
Myth 4: “You can hear them ‘crackle’.”
The Truth: This one is actually a half-myth! For decades, scientists dismissed this, but recent studies show that during intense displays, an “inversion layer” in the atmosphere can create static discharges that sound like faint pops or whispers. However, it is very rare.
Myth 5: “The lights look exactly like the photos.”
The Truth: Prepare for a “reality check.” Human eyes aren’t great at seeing color in the dark. To the naked eye, a moderate aurora often looks like a ghostly white or grey cloud. Your camera sensor, however, can “see” the green and red light that your eyes might miss.