Only 215 days until a 100% full solar eclipse happens down the street from my house 🤩 (baring any cloud cover, which if you know anything about the weather here, it's entirely possible to be a blizzard lol)

Something different than my usual content but I'll be facilitating a workshop in Reykjavík to kick start the new year: "Dimension 2026: Roll for Initiative" I help participants choose a theme or guiding word for the year, then craft vision boards, goal bingo cards, & task punch cards. Here's mine:

Reykjavík weather update. The average precipitation in January for the city is 75 mm (rain/snow). So far, we've had 0.5 mm this year. Next week's forecast shows zero precip., and one small chance thru the 26th. Great for aurora hunting, terrible for the flora and fauna. #northernlights #iceland

Did you think you'd seen the last of the Christmas posts? Today is Þrettándinn, or The 13th. It's the final night of Christmas season (Epiphany) and in Icelandic folklore, the Yule Lads head back up into the Highlands now. We celebrate with bonfires, Santa antics, fireworks, and music. #iceland

Everything may seem awful and dumb, so here's some gorgeous scenery from my hike today. Viðey is a small island off the coast of Reykjavík, Esjan is the mountain behind it. Left: taken just after sunrise, right before noon. Right: taken at astronomical midday, right around 13:30. #iceland #nature

Between Jan 1-3, Reykjavík takes an advertisement break. The majority of electronic ad space across the city turns into thought-provoking artwork annually. This year, science meets art: Sólarhringur, a digital sundial that mimics the unique winter hues of the lower arctic. #iceland #goldenhour #art

Last night over Reykjavík's skyline. Simply magical to live with this in your skies. #northernlights #aurora #fullmoon

The Moon is mooning. Much moon. A+ moon experience. Not quite full but close enough. Cotton candy skies in full effect, too. #iceland #sciart #fullmoon

For those who watch Stranger Things, the final scene was shot in Iceland this past summer. I'll say no more to avoid spoilers. These are remote waterfalls, Háifoss and Granni, in the southern Highlands; no town exists beyond them. (That's CGI) Gorgeous, nonetheless. #iceland #strangerthings #nature

In what is possibly the scariest thing I've attempted, I am officially launching my new nerd-focused travel experiences company here in Iceland. I promise this account will remain mostly sharing the beauty and science of Iceland, but we're going live today and I'm proud. www.sidequesticeland.com

And finally, my favorite December 2025 photo is of my city, Reykjavík, looking cozy and beautiful in midnight snowfall. Thanks everyone for looking back at the year with me and being such a great group of people. Happy New Year! #yearinreview #winter #newyearseve

Was there any doubt that my favorite photo from Nov 2025 was going to be from the year’s biggest aurora storm? I chose this photo to share not only because it's a new one from that series to this channel but also the only one with my tiny little shadow at the bottom :) #yearinreview #northernlights

I interrupt our end of the year countdown with something more solemn. Cancer rates for women under 50 are skyrocketing (82% higher incidence than men). My beloved stepmom died at 39 from cancer, and of my friend group of a dozen women under 55 here in Iceland, five of them have had cancer.

October 2025 favorite photo had to come from our record setting snowfall. Reykjavík got pummeled with over 40cm (that's more than 15 inches) in an unseasonably early start to winter. I shared a lot of photos from that previously, but here's a pastoral one I really enjoyed. #yearinreview #winter

September 2025 was a month where everyday was photogenic. Amazing beginning to aurora season, filming a documentary in the Highlands, fantastic fall foliage hikes. My choice for favorite photo was from my long-awaited return to Þórsmörk and filming at the black glacier Gígjökull. #yearinreview

My favorite photo from August 2025 is of the incomparable Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík. An absolute triumph of design in a city overrun with post Soviet era brutalism knockoffs. The building looks like fish scales, which catch the changing sunlight gorgeously. #yearinreview #architecture #iceland

July 2025 favorite photo makes my geologist heart happy. Hiking to go see the new lava! It's a far cry from the Fagradalsfjall eruptions which were situated more ideally: further away from infrastructure and better viewing opportunities. But this was still epic. #yearinreview #iceland

My favorite June 2025 photo was not my best, but was my favorite. On a lonely, beautiful stretch of mountainous fjörd road, I happened upon a few sheep families heading to the beach. Sheep here are free range in the summer, and are part of why speed limits are low here. #yearinreview #iceland

The weather in Iceland was extreme this year. It was 19.8°C on Christmas Eve this year in Seyðisfjörður. And the SW had the warmest May on record, w/multiple +20°C days. My favorite photo from that month was from my favorite hike, Nesjavellir; it was warm enough to sit in the river. #yearinreview

April 2025! My favorite photo of this month has to come from my angel aurora series from a late season substorm I captured at Þingvellirvatn. And that's saying a lot b/c we had a volcano that month too. Can you believe this was photographed by iPhone? #yearinreview #iceland #northernlights #aurora

My favorite photo from March 2025 came from one of my geology tours. We were viewing the defensive berms built around the Svartsengi geothermal plant and the Blue Lagoon, exactly one month before the April Fool's volcanic eruption at Sundhnúkur and in Grindavík. So moody! #yearinreview #iceland

February's photo comes from gorgeous, historical, geologically wonderful town, Edinburgh, Scotland. While I did some memorable things, like stay at The Witchery and met players from Ireland v. Scotland rugby teams, I love the irreverent stuff. Here's Adam Scott wearing a traffic cone. #yearinreview

I'm featuring my favorite photo from each month for the final six days of 2025. Up first: January. This one isn't technically perfect. It's out of focus. I was running, with an iPhone, in the cold. But it was such a core memory. From the New Years Day aurora substorm. #yearinreview #northernlights

Gleðileg jól, öllsömul! Njóttu hátíðanna!

As promised, your final Icelandic yule creatures post! This evening, on the 24th, Icelanders will gather together and unwrap presents. While books are a common gift, folklore states if you don't get new clothes for Christmas, the frightening Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn) will eat you. #iceland #christmas

One extra holiday post! Today we celebrate Þorláksmessa, or the Mass of St. Thorlak, Iceland's patron saint. Nowadays, we* celebrate by eating fermented skate, which has a strong ammonia smell, and go downtown for Christmas shopping and sanat spotting. (*we used liberally here) #iceland #christmas

Tonight our 13th and final santa comes out of the highlands to bring gifts but also mischief. This is Kertasníkir, or Candle Stealer. In the before times, candles were made from tallow, and thus semi edible. This Yule Lad will steal your candles for a midnight snack. #iceland #christmas #culture

Absolutely wild pink nitrogen ribbon aurora burst last night here in Iceland. There was cloud cover, and I was worried the show would stay shrouded. Voila! The purpley-pink & white ribbons are much closer to us in the atmosphere than standard green arcs, and are fast moving. #northernlights #aurora

Which Yule Lad is coming tonight? Why it's none other than Ketkrókur, or MEAT HOOK. No, really. Meat Hook, like Santa, is very enamored with chimneys, but instead he lowers a massive hook down in hopes of swiping your meats. I hope you know that I'm not making any of this up. #iceland #christmas

The 11th Yule Lad is Gáttabefur, or literally Doorway Sniffer. As his name suggests, he is lurking in doorways, trying to sniff all the yummy holiday foods. Icelanders typically serve hangikjöt, sugared saucy potatoes, peas and red cabbage, and my personal favorite, laufabrauð. #iceland #christmas

Hello from 65°N on the shortest day of the year. Here in Reykjavík we have four hours of "daylight." Many years, the solstice is shrouded in clouds, but even when it's sunny out, we stay in perpetual golden hour because the sun does not rise more the 3.5° above the horizon. #iceland #wintersolstice

The tenth Yule Lad arrives from the mountains tonight and he's definitely the creepiest. This is Gluggagægir, or Window Peeper. A voyeur with thick glasses and sometimes binoculars, this santa is on a stakeout for things he can steal in your home. Crime Claus! #iceland #christmas #culture

It's the 9th night of yule, and with it comes Bjúgnakrækir, or Sausage Swiper. This santa hides in your rafters to swipe sausages that you're smoking. Modern day versions see him hiding in your attic waiting to steal your hot dogs, which are practically the national dish here. #iceland #christmas

Late night walks in the neighborhood can still have some good views. The original Christmas lights adorn the skyline along with the Big Dipper. #aurora #northernlights #iceland

Tonight the 8th Yule Lad arrives. This strapping lad is Skyrgámur, or Skýr Gobbler. He tears through the house eating all your skýr. What is skýr? It's like yogurt, but actually a cheese! It's a mildly sour high protein food that you'll find in almost every house here. #iceland #christmas #culture

An update on #inflation and general #costofliving here in #Iceland, given the discourse wrt "cereal is $11 in the US" news. Breakfast cereal (American) is ~ $6-8/box here at a normal grocery store; at the speciality American store, that can spike to $16. Do with that information what you will.

Tonight, our 7th Yule Lad arrives; every parent of a teenager's least favorite Santa: Hurðasleikir, or Door Slammer. This lad enjoys waking you by slamming doors, and he loves the sound of squeaky door hinges. Don't expect WD-40 in your shoe as a present from this dude. #iceland #christmas #culture

The 6th Yule Lad will be arriving from the mountains tonight. We welcome Askasleikir, or Bowl Licker. He hides under beds and waits for you to put your wooden bowl (called an askur) on the floor from your midnight snack. This one always makes me question the eating habits of old-timey Icelanders.

Tonight the 5th yule lad arrives. Known as Pottasleikir, or literally Pot Licker. This lad goes around stealing your leftovers and licking used pots and pans. Iceland was an incredibly poor nation pre WWII and many folklores are about starving and stealing food. #iceland #christmas #culture

It's the 4th night of Icelandic Yule Lads coming to town. This time it's Þvörusleikir, which roughly translates to Spoon Licker. He's described as sickly thin and malnourished, and he runs around your house looking for dirty used spoons to lick clean. Charming. #iceland #christmas #culture

The 3rd Icelandic Santa (yule lad) is coming tonight.In English, they've translated his name to simply "Stubby." In Iceland, we call him Stúfur. He's very short and he sneaks into your kitchen to steal pots and pans so as to lick the old food crusts off them!

I get asked all the time if you can see the northern lights from town. On a good night: absolutely! Tonight was supposed to be completely socked in with clouds and the city is extra bright with Christmas cheer. But, voila! #northernlights #aurora #reykjavik #iceland

Tonight the 2nd Icelandic Santa (yule lad) comes down from the mountains. It's Gilljagaur, or Gulley Gawk in English. He hides in gullies and lava cracks, waiting for local farmers to get distracted, so he can sneak into barns and steal milk. Santa chaos ensues! #iceland #christmas #culture

First Icelandic Santa arrives tonight! Jólasveinninn (the yule lads) are a bunch of mischievous brothers that come down from the mountains, leave presents in kids’ shoes, and commit mayhem. Tonight it's Stekkjastaur. In English, Sheep-Cote Clod or Gimpy. He's got a peg leg and harasses sheep.

I've been struck down with whatever the virus du jour is, but the worst part about being sick in Iceland in the winter is you invariably miss the whole day. Sun is rising past 11:00 now and setting at almost 15:30. By solstice that will shrink by almost half an hour more. I'll never get used to it.

A very well-timed comment reminded me of my favorite subset of aurora photography: with the local volcano. Kilauea may be a spectacle & I know it's not a competition, but it doesn't have auroras like we do. Hope the commenter can make their bucket list item a reality soon! #northernlights #volcano

Genuinely, my little scientist heart cracks open daily here. Such beauty and wonder. Lava fields? ✅ Northern lights? ✅ Heavenly bodies? ✅ Whimsy and joy? ✅ #iceland #northernlights #aurora

Today in #caturday news: Diego the Cat, famous neighbor staple of the Skeifan district here in Reykjavík, who was mercilessly catnapped and rescued by police swat team last year, paid an early visit to the local supermarket this morning. Here he is enjoying some fine Icelandic tap water. #iceland

The Sidequest: Iceland Aurora Wrapped 2025 What a year! 💜💚🤍

So many new followers; thought I'd say hi and answer questions 👋🏼 I'm Jessý, scientist & founder of Sidequest: Iceland (launching soon!) We do travel for nerds (yes, nerds.) We have tours w/ scientist guides. The biggest #northernlights question we get: why are there so many big auroras right now?