Aurora borealis displays green, purple, and red lights across the sky. Solar wind particles travel through Earth's magnetic field to poles. Northern lights occur in northern hemisphere, southern lights in southern
Lapland has 8 distinct seasons, unlike traditional 4. Summer offers 24-hour sunlight, winter brings Northern Lights. Fall displays iconic 'ruska' colors and offers hiking opportunities. Region provides best air and water quality
Solar maximum is the highest rate of solar activity during 11-year cycle. Last solar maximum occurred in April 2014. Current maximum period is for Solar Cycle 25. Scientists predict maximum using 13-month smoothed sunspot number
Oymyakon in Siberia reached -90°F/ -68°C in 1933, setting Guinness record
Moscow features Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil's Cathedral. Sochi hosted 2014 Winter Olympics and offers waterfront promenades. St. Petersburg is second largest city with cathedrals and river bridges. Veliky Novgorod was Russia's first capital in 9th century. Irkutsk is known as "Paris of Siberia" with museums and wooden houses