Rush North: See the Northern Lights Before They Dim - http://clapway.com/2015/11/13/rush-north-see-northern-lights-dim-decade/

The northern lights are predicted to dim for the next decade, making it much harder to see them on a clear, starry night up North.

Don’t worry, they are not disappearing. They’re just muting their vivid glory for a decade, kind of like Adele taking a four year break from the music industry. Except for ten years instead of four. It’s okay, we’ll survive… I hope.

According to Peter Delamere, associate professor of space physics at the Geophysical Institute, the northern lights are beginning their downward leg of a natural 11-year solar cycle. Solar activity, including enormous solar eruptions, can happen anytime and produce intense aurora, but they are unpredictable and irregular.

Aurora borealis, the phenomenon otherwise known as the northern lights, will begin to dim after 2016. The effect is estimated to last until 2024 or even 2026. During that time, the lights will be less frequent and bright. Currently, the lights are a bit like a groundhog in February–not quite sure whether it should pop its head out or not. Conditions required to see the lights include a clear night sky and the lights’ willingness to show up.

Thankfully, the northern lights will still be putting on a spectacular show through Winter 2016, so start planning your trip now.

The best places to see the northern lights before they dim, and probably after:

Alaska

A great choice for North American dwellers. There are many options to get yourself to Alaska in the next year: cruise, fly, or drive. Fairbanks is the suggested destination to get the best show and not freeze.

Northern Canada

Another option that’s close to home. In the city of Churchill, Natural Habitat Adventures offers an aurora pod made of glass and a view of the lights waving over polar bears and lots of ice. While you’re in Northern Canada, check out dog-sledding and any kind of skiing you can dream up.

Scotland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVsONlc3OUY

One of my personal favorite countries in the world. In the summer, Scotland’s so far north, the sun doesn’t set till close to midnight. In the winter, the darkness is all encompassing. Head toward Inverness or the Coast of Caithness.

Norway

Beautiful in summer and winter, Norway offers great views of the northern lights. You can go so far North here that you can also experience the Polar Night–a 24 hour-long night.

Finland

The most infamous place too view the lights because of its fantastically luxurious accommodations–personal igloos. Sit under fur blankets and view the beautiful phenomenon from the comfort of a very warm bed.

Iceland

Head over to Iceland, not only to see the northern lights, but also to explore the seat of the North from the hit HBO show Game of Thrones. Now, if I can find Jon Snow out there, I’ll be set for life.

If you’re looking to catch the northern lights before they dim, or any time, make sure to check the aurora forecast before you go.

Rush North: See the Northern Lights Before They Dim

"A girl called Brynja and daughter of Mr. Magnus Johansson will be called Brynja Magnusdottir (literally meaning daughter of Magnus). Therefore last names between relatives are never the same, so there is no simple way of knowing whether someone is your cousin or uncle." - http://clapway.com/2015/06/24/icelandic-and-want-to-avoid-dating-your-cousin-theres-an-app-for-that-2/

As many Icelanders are unaware to be closely related, three young students from the University of Iceland designed an app that allows you to know if your best friend, or date, is a relative. In other words, this app will help you avoid dating your cousin.

Not-so-unlikely scenarios

Probably the possibility of ending up on a date, or in bed, with a relative might sound quite strange. We are used to living in populated societies where the chances of starting a relationship with an unknown relative are incredibly small, but in Iceland the situation is different.

There are two main factors why Icelanders might be worried that the guy or girl they are dating, could actually be a very close relative.

First, Iceland is a country inhabited by only 320,000 people and, as a matter of fact, almost all of them trace ancestry to the island’s settlers from the 9th century. Moreover, the extremely low rates of immigration to the small, isolated island did not help in “mixing up” the population through time.

Different last names

Secondly, there is no direct way of knowing whether two people are related. In Iceland, a person’s last name is still determined by the fathers name. While most of us are used to inheriting our dad’s last name, Icelandic last names are made up by the dad’s name, followed by either “dottir” or “son”, depending if it’s a girl or a boy.

For example, a girl called Brynja and daughter of Mr. Magnus Johansson will be called Brynja Magnusdottir (literally meaning daughter of Magnus). Therefore last names between relatives are never the same, so there is no simple way of knowing whether someone is your cousin or uncle.

An app solves it all

To solve this issue in a very 21st century way, three software-engendering students from the University of Iceland came up with an App called IslendingaApp (Iceland App). By simply “bumping” two phones, the app looks into its database and finds out whether two people should be going on their second date or not.

“When you bump, it shows your nearest common ancestors. If you bump with someone who’s too closely related, you get an alarm sound and a text warning” explains Arnar Freyr Adalsteinsson, one of the developers.

The application uses the Icelandic genealogical database, called Islendingabok, which traces all connections between Iceland’s inhabitants. This database has been available to Icelanders for long in order to trace their ancestries, also through mobile phones. However, this app is designed specifically for this and by taking advantage of today’s technology, it makes the database more accessible and easier to consult.

The App is however available for Icelanders only, as a personal security number is required to log in. Very officious.

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Let’s move to Iceland. Or maybe Icelanders want to try the long distance route? Filmin can help with this:

 

Icelandic and Want to Avoid Dating Your Cousin? There"s an App for That