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THE LIGHTHOUSE

Lucky photographer’s house has the world’s best view – right under the Northern Lights

Hallgrimur Helgason, 65, can step outside his back door to snap the brilliant dancing colours of the aurora borealis lighting up the sky in Iceland

A LUCKY photographer reckons his house has the world's best view — right underneath the Northern Lights.

Hallgrimur Helgason, 65, can step outside his back door to snap the brilliant dancing colours of the aurora borealis lighting up the sky in Iceland.

Lucky Hallgrimur Helgason has one of the wonders of the natural world on his doorstep in a suburb of Reykjavik, Iceland
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Lucky Hallgrimur Helgason has one of the wonders of the natural world on his doorstep in a suburb of Reykjavik, IcelandCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
He has been able to photograph the spectacular Northern Lights from just outside his home
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He has been able to photograph the spectacular Northern Lights from just outside his homeCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
He also goes on trips with his camera to capture amazing night-time views
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He also goes on trips with his camera to capture amazing night-time viewsCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the natural spectacle
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Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the natural spectacleCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
Bright colours dance in the sky forming ever changing shapes and ribbons
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Bright colours dance in the sky forming ever changing shapes and ribbonsCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
Green and purple are the most common colours but orange and red are also sometimes visible
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Green and purple are the most common colours but orange and red are also sometimes visibleCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason

Hallgrimur, who lives in Kopavogur near Reykjavik, said: '"Where I live in it's not necessary to go far — the aurora is blasting all over.

"I shoot the Northern Lights from my back door. Often it's just a spontaneous rush out into the dark.

"It's always a thrill to see the Lights. The stronger they are of course the more exciting.

"I often get heartbeat rush and adrenaline kick standing alone out there in the dark night."

Hallgrimur also often goes on aurora "hunting trips" armed with his camera.

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Hallgrimur Helgason can step outside his back door to see the Northern Lights 'blasting all over'
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Hallgrimur Helgason can step outside his back door to see the Northern Lights 'blasting all over'Credit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
The phenomenon occurs at the North and South magnetic poles and is known as aurora borealis and aurora australis
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The phenomenon occurs at the North and South magnetic poles and is known as aurora borealis and aurora australisCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
Light is emitted when charged particles blasted out of the Sun collide with molecules of gas in the Earth's upper atmosphere
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Light is emitted when charged particles blasted out of the Sun collide with molecules of gas in the Earth's upper atmosphereCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
The aurora borealis changes according to the solar weather and is strongest a few days after a mass eruption of particles from the Sun
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The aurora borealis changes according to the solar weather and is strongest a few days after a mass eruption of particles from the SunCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
The Northern Lights are visible on clear nights across a band of the globe including Alaska, Scandinavia and Siberia
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The Northern Lights are visible on clear nights across a band of the globe including Alaska, Scandinavia and SiberiaCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
Hallgrimur Helgason has spent years capturing the ever-changing displays near his home in Iceland
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Hallgrimur Helgason has spent years capturing the ever-changing displays near his home in IcelandCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
This rare view shows a pink and purple form like an angel towering over the landscape
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This rare view shows a pink and purple form like an angel towering over the landscapeCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
Vivid green swirls of the aurora borealis light up the sky near Iceland's capital Reykjavik
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Vivid green swirls of the aurora borealis light up the sky near Iceland's capital ReykjavikCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason
A rainbow ribbon of light makes for another spectacular image by Hallgrimur Helgason
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A rainbow ribbon of light makes for another spectacular image by Hallgrimur HelgasonCredit: SWNS/Hallgrimur Helgason

Auroras near the North and South magnetic poles are created when electrically charged particles blasted out of the Sun enter the Earth's upper atmosphere and collide with molecules of gas about 60 miles above the surface.

Green and purple are the most common colours but orange and red are also sometimes visible, depending on which gases the solar particles interact with.

Iceland is one of the best places to see the natural wonder and night-time excursions to see it are popular with tourists.

Occasionally the Lights are visible as far south as England, such as in October when skygazers were treated to a spectacular show in Yorkshire and Norfolk.

But scientists have said the phenomenon could disappear from UK skies as solar activity falls to a historic low.

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