About the scene
It is night beside a snow-covered lake. Stars shine beyond the distant snowy hills, and a green aurora stretches across the sky. The lake is calm, reflecting the light above.
The aurora keeps moving. It stretches out and fades, then brightens again. Even when you leave the same scene open, the sky changes little by little.
Drag to slowly look around. The aurora stretches across the sky, from above the lake in front of you to overhead and behind you.
The story of the aurora
The aurora begins far away at the Sun. Energy from the Sun travels through Earth’s magnetic field and makes particles in the atmosphere glow, creating the aurora we see. Earth’s magnetic field channels this energy toward the poles, so auroras often appear in skies near the Arctic and Antarctic.
Each color has its own explanation. Oxygen produces the green light we see most often. The same oxygen can glow red at higher altitudes, while nitrogen can add shades of purple or pink.
The name aurora comes from Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn. In Finland, the aurora is called “revontulet,” meaning “fox fires.” An old tale tells of a fox running across snowy fields, sweeping the snow with its tail and sending sparks into the sky to become the aurora.
To see a sky like this in person, you need to travel far north to places such as northern Norway, Finnish Lapland, Iceland, or Yellowknife in Canada. Even with clear skies and enough darkness, the aurora does not appear every night. Here, you don’t have to wait for the perfect night.
Moments to Enjoy
Before bed
Turn off the room lights and lower your screen brightness a little. Keep the sound low, too. You can simply watch the sky until you feel sleepy.
When you want to clear your mind
There is nothing you need to focus on. Let the aurora move at its own pace and watch it for a while.
While you work
If you have a second monitor, leave the scene open on it. You do not have to keep watching; each time you glance over, the aurora may have taken a different shape.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a video?
No. This is a scene generated in real time, rather than a prerecorded video. The scene never repeats in exactly the same way, and you can look around freely.
Can I use it on a phone or tablet?
Yes. You can use it on phones and tablets. Tap the screen to show the menu, and drag with your finger to look around.
If you plan to leave it running for a long time, we recommend keeping your device plugged in.
Why can’t I hear any sound?
Sound may be off when you first open a scene. Tap or click the screen once, then select the sound button in the bottom-left corner.
If you still cannot hear anything, check whether your device is in silent mode or the browser tab is muted.
Can I leave it running for a long time?
Yes. You can leave it running for a long time. When you switch to another tab or minimize the window, the scene pauses automatically while the sound continues.
To take a break, select the pause button. This pauses both the scene and the sound.
Why is the scene running slowly?
The scene may slow down or stutter depending on your device and other programs running at the same time. Try closing unused tabs or programs, then return to the scene.
It also helps to avoid running the same scene in several tabs at once.
What is the difference between theater mode and full screen?
Theater mode gives the scene more space within your browser. Full screen hides the address bar and menus to fill the entire screen with the scene.
Use theater mode while doing other things, or full screen when you want to focus on the scene.
I have another question
If the FAQ does not solve your problem, or you have another question, contact us at [email protected].