Help! It’s full moon! Will it ruin my aurora experience?
Imagine this: you’ve arrived beneath the auroral oval, solar activity is increasing, and the forecast looks promising — only to discover the sky is dominated by a bright full moon. Many travelers panic at this point. Will the moon wash out the Northern Lights?
The short, science-based answer: no.
The full moon does not affect aurora activity itself. What it can affect is human perception of faint displays — and even that depends on aurora strength, sky conditions, and experience.
At Aurora Reykjavík, we’ve observed and photographed thousands of aurora displays across all lunar phases. In this guide, we explain exactly when the moon matters, when it doesn’t, and why full-moon nights can actually create some of the most memorable aurora experiences in Iceland.
Written by Katarina Raker, Northern Lights expert and co-founder of Aurora Reykjavík
Full moon aurora at Þingvellir National Park, Iceland
Does the Full Moon Affect the Northern Lights?
The moon has no physical effect on the Northern Lights.
Aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. This process is driven by solar wind and geomagnetic activity, not lunar phases.
A full moon only increases ambient light in the sky. This can make very faint auroras harder to notice, especially for inexperienced observers — similar to how moonlight reduces the visibility of dim stars.
Full Moon – It all depends on the strength of the aurora
That being said, as every stargazer knows, a full moon does cast a lot of light in the sky. And yes, for untrained eyes, it does make it harder to see the aurora, just as bright moonlight can drown faint stars from our view.
However, it all depends on how strong the display is that you are witnessing. A weak aurora might be drowned in bright moonlight, but if you get a moderate to a high level of solar activity, you will still get a good view of the northern lights. Contrary to what you might have heard, it is possible to see the aurora borealis, or northern lights, when there’s a bright moon, even a full moon, in the sky.
Moonlight matters when:
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Aurora activity is weak (Kp 1–2)
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The display is low on the horizon
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The moon is very high up in the sky.
Moonlight does not matter when:
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Aurora activity is moderate to strong (Kp 3+)
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The aurora is overhead
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Skies are clear and dark away from city lights
Full moon aurora in the highlands, Iceland
Full moon aurora in the East Fjords, Iceland
Why We Love the Full Moon for Aurora Chasing
From years of photographing auroras across Iceland, we’ve found that full-moon nights offer several unique advantages — especially for photography and overall experience.
Many might think of moonlight as an obstacle, but for photographers and aurora enthusiasts, it brings some unique advantages. Here’s why we love full moon nights for Northern Lights hunting:
1. Moonlight Enhances the Landscape
The moon softly illuminates the foreground, creating a magical setting. Snow-covered mountains, lava fields, and Icelandic glaciers appear even more stunning under moonlight.
2. Beautifully Colored Skies
Instead of pitch black, the night sky appears in deep, rich blue hues—a striking backdrop for the aurora
3. Better Aurora Portraits
The moonlight adds just enough light to softly illuminate people in photos, avoiding the silhouette effect while maintaining the natural beauty of the aurora.
4. Shorter Shutter Speeds
Moonlight allows for shorter exposure times, making it easier to capture sharp images of people and realistic time-lapses that mimic real-time aurora movements.
5. Crisper Aurora Shapes
Shorter shutter speeds also capture the intricate shapes and patterns of the aurora with more clarity
6. Safer and More Enjoyable Conditions
Navigating Icelandic landscapes in the dark can be tricky. With a full moon, it’s easier to see your surroundings and avoid potential hazards like hidden lava caves or icy trails.
In conclusion:
If your goal is to spot very faint auroras with the naked eye, darker nights may offer a slight advantage. However, strong auroral displays remain clearly visible even under a full moon.
For photographers, landscape lovers, and travelers seeking a visually rich experience, full-moon nights can be exceptional — offering illuminated terrain, safer navigation, and more dynamic compositions.
Why the Moon Phase Alone Doesn’t Tell the Full Story
1. Moonrise and Moonset Matter More Than the Moon Phase
When planning a Northern Lights hunt, it’s not enough to look at the moon phase alone. Moonrise and moonset times are far more important. In many cases, especially around a full moon, the moon may set before aurora prime time – leaving the sky completely moonless during the best viewing hours around magnetic midnight. That’s why experienced aurora chasers always check when the moon is actually above the horizon. Tools like timeanddate.com provide precise moonrise and moonset times for any location and date.
A night labeled as “full moon” on the calendar can, in practice, have zero moonlight impact on your aurora experience.
Dramatic full moon aurora at Dettifoss
2. Clouds Can Block the Moon While the Aurora Still Shines
Iceland’s weather adds another important variable: cloud cover.
It’s common to have partly cloudy skies, where low or mid-level clouds obscure the moon in one part of the sky, while clear gaps in another directions allow the aurora to shine through. In this situations, moonlight may be completely diffused or blocked, while the aurora remains visible – sometimes even more dramatically as green arcs illuminate breaks in the clouds. This is one of the reasons why cloud forecasts and on-site decisions matter far more than the moon phase alone.
3. Full Moon Nights Create Extra Opportunities for Astrophotography
For astrophotographers, full-moon nights offer additional creative opportunities beyond the aurora itself.
Moonrise and moonset during a full moon can produce:
Dramatic low-angle moonlight over mountains and glaciers
Golden or pastel tones near the horizon
Unique compositions combining the aurora with lunar-lit landscapes
When times correctly, photographers can capture both aurora activity and moonrise or moonset at the same session, adding depth and storytelling in their images.
Full moon aurora at Kerlingarfjöll, Iceland
Conclusion: Should You Avoid Full Moon Nights?
Expert takeaway:
A full moon does not ruin Northern Lights viewing. What truly matters is:
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Aurora strength
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Cloud cover
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Light pollution
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Whether the moon is actually above the horizon
If your main goal is to see the Northern Lights with your own eyes, avoiding moonlit nights might improve visibility of faint displays. However, if you’re aiming for stunning aurora photographs or want a magical overall experience, full moon nights offer unique opportunities.
Pro tip: Track the aurora forecast and cloud cover on reliable apps, like the ones mentioned in our guide to Northern Lights apps, to plan your chase effectively.
Capture the Aurora with Us
At Aurora Reykjavík, we know how to make the most of every lunar phase. Whether it’s a moonlit night or a moonless one, our expert guides will help you chase the aurora under the best conditions. Plus, our team of photographers will ensure you go home with breathtaking photos.
Check out our hand-picked selection of Northern Lights tours and let us take you on an unforgettable adventure. Remember, the magic of the aurora doesn’t fade under the full moon—it shines brighter in new ways.
Full moon aurora at Þingvellir National Park
Explore More at Aurora Reykjavík
- Visit our Northern Lights Center to learn everything about the aurora.
- Discover the best Northern Lights photography tips for your next adventure.
- Find out the best months to see the aurora borealis in our guide.
Join us on a Northern Lights Tour
So, if you can – buy the ticket, get the ride. You will find our hand-picked selection of tours here:
Katarina Raker
About the Author: Katarina Raker
Katarina Raker is a passionate Northern Lights expert and award-winning photographer based in Iceland. With years of experience chasing the aurora across the Arctic, she combines her love for storytelling with a deep knowledge of the science behind the Northern Lights. As a team member at Aurora Reykjavík, Katarina is dedicated to helping travelers experience the magic of the aurora borealis through expert tips, guided tours, and stunning photography. When she’s not capturing the sky’s most dazzling displays, Katarina enjoys exploring Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes and sharing her adventures with the world.
FAQ about the Northern Lights
Hvar get ég séð norðurljós á Íslandi?
The northern lights season in Iceland begins in late August and continues through mid/late April.
During this long period, Iceland experiences sufficient darkness for the Aurora to be visible at night.
However, chances of experiencing the northern lights vary depending on the time of year. Find out which months are the best for seeing the Aurora here.
Can you see the Northern Lights during a full moon?
Yes. Strong auroras remain clearly visible even during a full moon.
What time do the northern lights show up?
Northern lights are statistically often seen between 9:00pm and 1:00am, but they may appear at any time as long as it is dark (and the sky clear).
During the winter months, when the hours of light are limited, the northern lights can often appear as early at 7:00pm.
As the exact time of an Aurora display cannot be predicted, keep your eyes at the sky. And remember, patience is key!
How long do the northern lights last?
Auroras can last any time between few minutes and hours.
Each northern lights display is different, and varies in duration. Furthermore, the northern lights are not always visible for the entire duration of a single Auroral episode: they often change in intensity throughout a single display, and can go from very bright to incredibly faint, to the point they are hardly visible at all any more.
Learn more about how the northern lights behave duration-wise here.
Can I see the northern lights when it is cloudy?
Well, that depends. First of all, Ísland is well-known for its unpredictable weather: the fact that it is cloudy now does not mean that the sky will still be cloudy 5 minutes from now.
As long as we can find some gaps in the cloud cover, some windows of clear sky – there’s hope.
And, even when it’s cloudy, keep in mind that not all clouds are the same. For example, high clouds are often see-through and do not necessarily disrupt our view. Rule of thumb: if you can see the stars, you can potentially see the northern lights too.
Once again, keep your eyes at the sky og check the forecast regularly for the most reliable prediction.
Do the northern lights only appear when it is cold?
The northern lights season in Iceland starts in late summer.
As you can imagine, this means that you don’t need cold temperatures to see an Aurora (although you should not expect t-shirt weather at night in Iceland, not even in August).
The northern lights happen way above the weather systems, and are not influenced by weather systems and temperature fluctuations in the lower atmosphere.
Find out more here.
Are the northern lights visible all over Iceland?
Iceland is located within the so called “aurora belt“, the area where the northern lights are typically seen.
In the Arctic region, the belt extends between 60°N and 70°N latitude. As Ísland in its entirety is included between 63°N and 67°N, and therefore well within the aurora belt, chances of seeing the northern lights are virtually the same everywhere around the island – if weather allows.
That said, the likelihood of witnessing the northern lights is higher away from the city lights, and some areas around the country are especially scenic. Here are our favourite locations for northern lights spotting in Iceland.
Are the northern lights really colourful?
Is a new moon better for aurora viewing?
It can help with faint auroras, but solar activity and cloud cover matter far more.
Is the full moon good for aurora photography?
Yes — it often improves landscapes, foregrounds, and image sharpness.