Gaze at the Aurora Borealis
One of the best reasons to head to Canada for vacation is to catch the beautiful Northern Lights
- By Laura Helmuth
- Smithsonian magazine, January 2008, Subscribe
Never mind the grizzly bears, the glaciers and the tundra. The best reason to go north (to Alaska, the Yukon or anywhere else above about 60 degrees latitude) is to see the Northern Lights.
Try to imagine the most colorful, textured sunset you've ever seen, then send it swirling and pulsing across an otherwise clear and starry sky. Maybe add some faint outlines of mountains on the horizon and a hooting gray owl for ambience.
But even more fabulous, in its own way, is the physics. Your planet is being buffeted by solar wind—particles of protons and electrons that the sun spews into space. Some of the charged particles get sucked into the earth's magnetic field and flow toward the pole until they collide with our atmosphere. Then, voilà: the aurora borealis (or aurora australis, if you happen to be at the bottom of the Southern Hemisphere).
The best times to see the aurora are around the fall and spring equinoxes, according to Janet Green, a physicist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when geomagnetic storms—disturbances in the earth's magnetic field—are strongest. It helps if the sun is near a peak of activity in its 11-year sunspot cycle. You can sign up for aurora alerts online or keep an eye on NOAA's geomagnetic storm forecast. But most of all you need a cloudless night, a flask of something warm and bracing, and pepper spray in case a grizzly tries to join you for the show.
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Comments (11)
I have wanted to see the Northern Lights for most of my life, it truly facinates me. But since I am now almost 75 years old and am pretty crippled with arthritus guess I'll have to be happy with pictures. I just told my youngest son earlier today that he will have to see them for me - and I'm sure he will.
Posted by Gini on January 2,2013 | 08:33 PM
I'm very lucky to live in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada where I can see the aurora from my backyard almost every night from mid August to late April. The landscape is relatively flat meaning there is no mountain obstructions or fog to cover the sky. There are tours here as well, would recommend checking out spectacularnwt.com for further information on that. My most recent photo of the aurora was just the other night and can be viewed here: http://www.twitpic.com/photos/samanthastuart
Another great Yellowknife photographer caught this shot: http://blog.michaelericsson.com/first-aurora-of-the-season
A summer aurora, so right now we have about 20 hours of daylight.
Posted by Samantha on August 7,2011 | 12:54 PM
We are only in August and the Northern Lights have already made an appearance here in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. If you want to see spectacular views of the Aurora Borealis, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories is a fantastic place to view! Check us out! http://www.spectacularnwt.com/whattodo/aurora/tours
Posted by arctic Rose on August 7,2011 | 12:46 PM
Michael Gardner commented on Feb 1, 2010 that the Aurora makes a noise like a static as it pulses. I am planning a trip up there in late fall of 2012 to celebrate my graduation for an A.A.S degree. Anyway I too have read and studied quite a bit about the Aurora. It seems that according to "science" that they have attempted to record the noises of the aurora. With no luck, no such sound is recorded. Even the Aboriginals call the Aurora "Voices of the Ancients" in their own language meaning that they are the voices of their ancestors whispering to them. However I hope to look into this matter. I have an opinion on what the sound is. I think because they are "magnetic" in nature that the sound that is "heard" is actually magnetic waves reacting in our brains and the "effect" is an audible sound to which their is no sound associated with "acoustic sound". I'll get back and let you know where that takes me after that trip.
Posted by Rick Fairley on April 16,2011 | 08:23 PM
Despite the fact that people are attached to the romantic nature that the aurora makes noise, it's physically impossible.
The "lights" are generated 45-80 miles above the earth.
Even if there was noise generated, it would take between 4 and 8 minutes to reach the surface.
Oh, yes, by the way: I live in Fairbanks Alaska and work for the geophysical institute at the University of Alaska doing research on the aurora. Kinda sorta know exactly what I'm talking about!
j-r
Posted by Jim Riston on February 13,2011 | 04:43 PM
I wouldn't worry too much about the grizzlies. When I lived in Alaska they hibernated in the winter. Very few bears have ever seen an aurora. The aurora also makes a noise like static electricity as it pulses. The best time to see it is during the sun's peak solar activity, I think it is a 12 year cycle(?). Chena hot springs outside Fairbanks is one of the best viewing places. They have special rates to see the aurora during the winter. In some cultures, it is good luck to honeymoon under the aurora. Go figure...
Posted by Michael Gardner on February 1,2010 | 06:02 PM
Please tell me how to book a tour to see the Northern Light in US. Thanks.
Posted by Jean Bow on November 24,2009 | 12:20 AM
There is a beautiful photo gallery of the Northern Lights at http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/photogalleries/ig/Aurora-Borealis-Photo-Gallery.--DR/ Definitely recommended :-)
Posted by Sarah Freelaye on February 4,2008 | 04:26 PM
The best site I have found for this is www.northernexposures.net. There is some beautiful photos that you can view and/or purchase. You can also sign up for alerts. I am very fortunate for living in beautiful Door County as we are just across the bay from Northern Exposures and can generally see the same lights. Hope this helps!
Posted by Jacalyn Margittay on January 26,2008 | 10:50 PM
I have always wanted to see the aurora borealis. The article and picture are great. This is now on my see it "someday" list. Thank you for the inspiration.
Posted by Suzy McMinn on January 9,2008 | 08:53 PM
Thanks for the great aurora article. Can you let me know how to sign up for aurora alerts online? Thanks very much.
Posted by sandra smith on January 3,2008 | 08:37 PM
This is a beautiful picture, and love the article. Thanks for continued excellence
Posted by Marsha Edwards on December 31,2007 | 03:50 PM