NORTHERN LIGHTS

Adventure

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

late February,

Aurora Hunting Tips

If you are in the northern Midwest USA and want to view the aurora borealis, here are some tips:

Check The Forecast

There are various websites that provide aurora forecasts such as the Space Weather Prediction Center. Check the forecast before you go out to increase your chances of seeing the aurora.

Find A Dark Location

The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is a natural light display that occurs in high-latitude regions near the Earth's magnetic poles. It is caused by charged particles from the sun, known as the solar wind, interacting with the Earth's magnetic field

The solar wind distorts and stretches out into a teardrop shape on the dark side of the Earth The solar wind collides with the Earth's atmosphere, exciting particles and causing them to emit light

The altitude of the particle interaction determines the shape and movement of the lights The colors depend on the type of particle being excited and the altitude at which the excitement occurs Oxygen atoms emit green and red light, nitrogen atoms emit blue and purple light.

The aurora is mostly seen in regions near the magnetic poles, such as Alaska, northern Canada, and Scandinavia, but can also be seen in other high-latitude regions Thanks again to our photographer friends who have shared aurora phots with us over the years, and who I hope will forgive us for sharing these again! Check out the end of the article for attributions and for where to follow them and other favorite content creators for more aurora shots!

The aurora is best seen in a location with minimal light pollution, so try to find a spot away from city lights

Go Out At The Right Time

The best time to view the aurora is during the late fall to early spring when the nights are longest Also, aim to go out during a new moon or when the moon is not visible in the sky to avoid any interference

Dress For The Weather

It is still really cold up north, even when it warms up during the day, it is cold at night from fall to early spring, so dress in layers to stay warm & comfy during your aurora hunting

Bring A Camera

A camera with manual controls and a tripod will best help you capture the beauty of the aurora but if a phone is all you got, go for it! Experiment with settings & exposures to get the best shots

Be Patient

Sometimes, the aurora can be faint and difficult to see with the naked eye, so look for subtle changes in the sky such as a greenish glow