Imagine the sky as a canvas, and the northern lights, also known as auroras, as nature's vibrant brushstrokes. The northern lights in Norway are stunning natural lights in the sky. In 2024, we might see them more than usual. This is because the sun is going through its strongest phase, called the "solar maximum." The last time this happened in 2014, the lights could have been better.

Plan Your Northern Lights Itinerary here.

The Northern Lights, usually occur at night when it's dark. These mesmerising lights paint the sky with vibrant colours like dancing curtains of light. They're caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with gases in the Earth's atmosphere. So, while they create a stunning spectacle in the night sky, they're not seen during sunrise.

Wesley Luginbyhl, a Texan photographer, experienced an unexpected encounter with the northern lights after a hiatus of thirty years. The catalyst behind this awe-inspiring event was an intense solar storm that propelled charged particles from the sun towards the Earth. Luginbyhl's vivid portrayal of the aurora, adorned with vibrant hues of blue, pink, red, and green, signifies the magnificence of this celestial event.

The year 2024 marks a crucial phase in the sun's cycle, known as the solar maximum. The anticipation surrounding this solar peak stems from the underwhelming display during the previous peak in 2014, deemed the weakest in a century by Mark Miesch, a research scientist at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.

Auroras predominantly manifest within a region encircling the Earth's magnetic pole, termed the auroral oval. This zone experiences fluctuations contingent upon solar wind strength. During the solar maximum, experts foresee a higher frequency of auroral activity, extending the auroral oval towards lower latitudes.

Various tools, such as aurora forecasting apps and insights from space weather scientists, aid enthusiasts in predicting optimal conditions for aurora sightings. Factors like sky clarity and geographical location significantly influence the visibility of these celestial marvels.

However, not all aurora sightings offer the same vividness. Miesch cautions that certain observations in the contiguous US often depict a faint red glow on the horizon, distinct from the striking visual representations portrayed in media.

Solar Cycle 25, initiated in December 2019, is projected to exhibit heightened solar activity. Sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections are poised to increase in frequency and intensity in 2024, as explained by Magnus Wik, a space weather scientist.

The mechanisms governing solar storms, such as coronal mass ejections interacting with the Earth's magnetosphere, bear significant implications for technology on our planet. Bill Murtagh, coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, underscores the impact of these storms on GPS functionalities and satellites in low orbit.

Observing and comprehending these solar phenomena remains pivotal. Slava Merkin, a space physicist, emphasises that increased observation leads to better comprehension and prediction of such events.

As we stand on the cusp of 2024, a year that might unveil celestial wonders, let us embrace the anticipation of a cosmic masterpiece, a celestial ballet painting the night sky. It's a chance for sky-gazers and cosmic dreamers to witness the harmonious dance of nature's celestial brushstrokes.

Yes, you read that correctly! StampThePassport makes obtaining your Norway tourist visa a breeze, all within just three simple steps and under 10 minutes.

3 Easy Steps 

• Select the right visa for your trip
• Complete our easy online application
• Our Expert will review your application before submitting

Get your visa and Fly !!

PASSPORT

• Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date
• Your passport should have a minimum of 2 blank pages
• Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years
• Indian passports with any observations or corrections will not be accepted
• Previously issued passports, if you have any

PHOTOGRAPHS

• Two recent coloured passport-size photographs
• Size of the photos: 35mm x 45mm without any border
• Ensure your photos have a white background with 80% face coverage

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

• Personal bank statement (last 6 months) with seal and signature of the bank
• Income Tax returns (last 3 years)
• Salary slips (last 3 months)
• Financial documents of sponsor and sponsorship letter (if sponsored)
• GST registration certificate (If self-employed)

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: (STP PROVIDES)

• Flight Tickets
• Hotel Booking
• Travel Insurance

INVITATION LETTER:(STP PROVIDES FORMAT)

• If you're visiting friends or family, you'll need an invitation letter along with a copy of their passport and visa

NOC: (STP PROVIDES FORMAT)

• Minors travelling without a parent or guardian, require a NOC or No Objection Certificate from their parents
• If employed, you require a Leave Sanction Certificate from your employer

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

• Norway visa application form
• Original Covering letter stating the purpose and duration of stay.  (If self-employed the cover letter should be on business letterhead)
• Original leave letter from your organisation

OTHER DOCUMENTS

• Marriage certificate (if your spouse's name is not in your passport)
• Wedding/engagement photos and your wedding card or invitation (for newly married couples)
• Asset documents such as fixed deposits, stocks owned and property papers
• School/College Identity card incase the applicant is a student
• Birth certificates for minors
• For minors- Financial documents of parents are required to be submitted along with the application & passport copy for the parents. 

With StampThePassport's streamlined process, getting your Norway tourist visa becomes a hassle-free task, saving you time and effort, and allowing you to focus on planning your Norwegian adventure!