Take a Tour: No one can
guarantee a sighting, but guides
know the best spots for viewing,
and can make the experience
unforgettable.
DIY it: Ask a few locals for their
favorite spots to see the lights.
Or, just drive as far as you can
from artificial lights and look up.
Ask for a Wake-up Call: Many
hotels offer guests a northern
lights wake-up call, alerting you
when they make an appearance.
If you visit Alaska between late August through April, look up
into the clear night sky. You may see a faint green glow above the
horizon. Keep looking. The green light may begin to move and
intensify. Waves of light start dancing, perhaps even turning red.
You're seeing the greatest natural light show on Earth: the aurora
borealis or northern lights.
Some Alaska Native traditions say the northern lights are dancing
spirits. Scientists say this natural wonder of the world is caused
by particles entering the atmosphere from solar winds (different
colors are caused by particles interacting with different elements
at different altitudes). Either way, they transform Alaska's
nighttime skies into a magical show.
Remember: the lights are up there year-round, but you need dark
nights to see them.
Did you know in Alaska we forecast the aurora? Get the details here:
AuroraForecast.gi.alaska.edu. For interior: ExploreFairbanks.com/#tracker
COLDFOOT
TO SEE THEM
FOR YOURSELF,
YOU CAN:
late august
through april
anywhere in alaska
layer up for
the cold
best months for viewing
best places to watch
best dress
but they're visible most often in the Interior and Arctic regions
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©
Jackie Veats
