Auroras over Kirkjufell, Iceland 26 Aug 2026

Auroras over Kirkjufell, Iceland

As darker nights return to Iceland, visitors will soon look to the skies for a chance to see the aurora borealis. Better known as the northern lights, this luminous phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with oxygen and nitrogen high in Earth"s atmosphere, creating shimmering ribbons of green, pink, purple and sometimes red light. From September to April, Iceland"s northern location and long winter nights make it one of the world"s finest places to witness the display.

© Cavan Images/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Aug 25, 2023National Park Service anniversary
Close to the wind
26 Aug 2024Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
26 Aug 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

20 Jun 2024Summer solstice
22 Aug 2026Common blue butterfly
An architectural masterpiece fit for a king
20 Jan 2024Macaroni penguins
Stretching to the sky
In the foothills of Snowdon
9 Aug 2026International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
An underwater paradise
King of the ocean
Tree-mendous
4 Jul 2025Orosei, Sardinia, Italy
22 Dec 2023December solstice
27 Apr 2024Leucistic Annas hummingbird, UCSC Arboretum, California, USA
16 Jul 2024Festival of British Archaeology
Reflecting on Christmas
Icon of the Highlands
16 Nov 2025A traboule in Lyon, France
Sunset on Santorini
15 Jun 2025Happy Fathers Day!
A deadly coast
Incan ingenuity
12 Oct 2023Palouse region, Idaho, USA
5 Jul 2025Pride in London
25 Sep 2023Sea otters
16 Jan 2026Leopard at Etosha National Park, Namibia
24 Dec 2023Christmas Eve
11 Jan 2026Blue walls of Chefchaouen, Morocco
13 Jan 2026Hen Galan
17 Jun 2024Green-crowned brilliant hummingbird
10 Mar 2025Lion, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda