What You’ll Learn About in this Blog:
- The best season to visit Iceland for stargazing.
- The best times for photographing the night sky, The Milky Way, and the Northern Lights.
- Everything you need to stay warm and cozy and capture fantastic night sky photographs.
- Beginner tips and tricks for night sky photography.
Iceland’s night sky is magical. Imagine billions of points of light behind the twirling green ribbons of the Aurora Borealis above you as you rest, safe and comfortable in a heated bed, watching it all through a sky roof above you.
Starwatching can make you feel like a kid again, taking wonder in the vastness of our beautiful world. Stargazing in Iceland is an unforgettable experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime, and we love to help you make the perfect experience.
Iceland’s Night Sky: Summer Note
Unfortunately, you can’t stargaze in Iceland during the summer. We experience a phenomenon known as the Midnight Sun. Because we are located close to the Arctic Circle, we experience daylight for 24 hours between May and August. Book your trip during our winter months to see the splendor of the night sky.
The Best Time of Year to Star Gaze
The best time of the year to experience Iceland’s night sky, Aurora or stars, is November through March. Those are our winter months when it is the darkest, and Iceland is at its most enchanting.
Why are the winter months the best?
- Because of Iceland’s high altitude, we experience shorter days with less light. Luckily for us, that translates into more time to watch the stars. During winter, on average, you will experience 4-5 hours of daylight that slowly increases as the winter months continue.
- Winter months still see tourism, but many places will be far less crowded. This means you’ll have more space and compete less for the best spots.
- You will experience our natural phenomenon authentically, as our country is covered in snow for most of the year.
Best Times to Watch or Photograph the Night Sky
The best time to photograph the night sky in Iceland or watch the stars depends on what you wish to see and capture.
The Milky Way
The Milky Way can be seen as early as February. While it is visible in the sky every night far away from artificial lights—the brightest and most striking part of the Milky Way, near the Galactic center—is only visible during specific times.
The Northern Lights
The long-standing myth is that the Northern Lights are more common in winter. Our earthly weather, however, does not affect the Aurora Borealis. The lights happen when Earth’s magnetic field and charged particles from the sun meet and enter our atmosphere.
The good news is that you can experience the hauntingly gorgeous aerial dance that is the Northern Lights during any part of winter. Summer’s extended hours and more daylight make them invisible to the naked eye.
The Stars
The stars shine bright from September through April. The best time for stargazing and photographing them is still during winter, depending on the weather. You’ll want clear skies for the night to help you view, hunt, name, and gaze at your favorite stars.
Tips for The Coziest Star Hunt and Star Gazing
Planning a trip, choosing what to pack, booking a rental, and finding a place to visit are the least fun aspects of travel. At Cozy Campers, we approached the design of our vehicles with this in mind. How can we make visiting, touring, exploring, and starwatching easier?
It starts with the right vehicle.
A Camper Full of Contentment
If you seek clear night skies in Iceland in February, the temperatures may be frigid and the wind harsh. One of the best ways to ensure that you can watch the stars drift by in their twinkling radiance is to have a vehicle that can handle the roads, keep you comfortable, and offer a sky roof that can open!
Iceland’s roads are notorious for being cold in winter, so you’ll need a reliable 4×4 to handle the road. Road safety is essential, and with a sky roof, our cozy campers allow you to watch the stars for hours in warmth and shelter. When you want to take a fantastic photo, open the sky roof and begin snapping.
The Right Gear
We recommend packing the right equipment for the best possible experience of night sky watching in Iceland. We have a full list of essentials to pack but here’s some top items to consider bringing with you:
- Footwear made to traverse snowy, icy ground. Perhaps a pair of winter boots with micro-spikes or cleats.
- A headlamp or flashlight. This is necessary when you visit us during winter, as daylight hours are short, and you will undoubtedly want to see the outside around your camper when needed.
- Clothes that you can layer easily: an underlayer, such as fleece leggings, a long-sleeved undershirt with a sweater overtop, and a good parka. Layering makes it easy to stay warm when you need to and remove layers when you are inside. Sweatshirts, winter joggers, and ski-bib overalls are all perfect choices to remain warm and cozy.
- A wind and waterproof jacket or outer shell: Icelandic winters can be harsh, and you will probably encounter rough winds and freezing-wet weather at some point. No one likes to be cold and soggy, so try to pack something that can withstand our weather.
- The Camera. Last yet not least, pack a camera or have a cell phone with excellent low-light capabilities and a sturdy tripod for those long exposures. Ensure your camera is weatherproof and the tripod can withstand hard outdoor environments.
Other Tips and Tricks for Night-time Photography
For your Cell Phone
Learn where your cell phone’s camera night mode is and activate it before taking any photos. Some iOS and Android phones will automatically detect low-light levels, while others may need to be set manually.
Start by experimenting by taking photos of the brightest or most easily recognizable stars. One of the easiest constellations to see in Iceland during winter is Orion, which consists of three stars that form a belt.
Any movement during a nighttime shoot can create a blurred shot, so we recommend a rugged tripod. Starlight is delicate, and another feature you may want to learn and play with before shooting is your cell phone camera’s focus, a high ISO, and an exposure of 1 second or more. If the focus distance is available, you’ll want to set it to its maximum or infinity.
From Dreams to Reality: See the Stars and Wild Elegance of Iceland
The night sky transforms into a celestial canvas as the sun sets over glittering snow, azure ice caves, and Iceland’s natural beauty. We invite adventurers like yourself to embrace this magic of stargazing. When you rent a camper from us, you’ll find the perfect opportunity to explore this spectacular backdrop at your own pace, safe, warm, and secure.
It’s time to book your trip, pack your telescope or camera, and start your unforgettable journey today.
Search for Campers for your trip, and let the wonders of Iceland’s cosmos inspire you!
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