Celestial Magic

Photo by judyo.photos

Dancing waves of green, blue and red streak across the clear night sky, urging viewers to gasp in wonder at this celestial display. To the Inuits, this otherworldly light shows were the souls of the dead play games in the night sky and to the northern Chinese and Russians, the lights were associated with fire-breathing dragons. Many people never get to witness one of nature’s most incredible phenomenon, but if you are one of the lucky ones, this is an experience you will never forget. To see the northern lights, known by the scientific name of aurora borealis, takes a clear night, a little bit of planning, and a lot of good fortune. Winter in Alaska is one of the best times to view the lights as darkness descends on this state very early during the months of September through April. In Anchorage, Greatland Adventures uses weather technology to forecast the best nights for viewing the skies. When favorable conditions are present, the company will transport visitors in touring vehicles and instruct you in the best photography practice. Heated winter shelters are often used to provide maximum warmth and comfort. Departures are about 9-11 p.m. with arrival back at your hotel between 3-5 a.m.

Six hours from Anchorage is the city of Fairbanks, which sits at 65 degrees north latitude. Because of its closer proximity to the north pole, the skies over Fairbanks take on a life of their own and become a canvas for spectacular light shows. There are numerous tour companies to choose from that have everything from midnight dog sled runs to photography tours, and even ones that combine the northern lights with a spa treatment. To get up-to-the-minute northern lights information, visit explorefairbanks.com with their aurora borealis tracker that combines forecast, weather conditions and time of day to determine the best viewing possibilities across multiple locations.