We’ve Been Chasing The Northern Lights!

As you read this we are just back from another attempt to experience the Northern Lights. In over twenty years of traveling the world there are a number of things that have frustrated our goals. Egypt is one with four trips being cancelled, mostly from civil unrest or regional wars and the Northern Lights being another when all the planning just doesn’t coincide with good conditions.

Image by Judi Oct 2026 Alaska

Above – We caught our best Northern Light displays near Denali, Alaska last week around 2:30 AM.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are best viewed in locations close to the Arctic Circle.

Above is Tromso Norway (photo by our Daughter-In-Law)

Traveling to a good location known for Northern Lights viewing is only the first step in seeing a good display. Once there you need a number of things to align. That is also why an experienced Aurora Borealus guide is really important.

Predicting the strength, visibility and location of the Northern Lights involves years of experience and a solid understanding of the factors that produce optimum displays. By keeping up on forecast data and monitoring several key environmental factors are important. The primary metric used is the Kp index, which measures geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 to 9. A high Kp index, typically between 7 and 9, indicates intense auroral displays that shift toward lower latitudes. Conversely, a Kp value of 5 or 6 is considered moderate activity, often making the lights visible at upper mid-latitudes around 45 degrees

Beyond the Kp index, successful forecasting requires analyzing solar wind conditions and the current solar cycle. For instance, 2026 is projected to be a peak year for activity due to the approaching Solar Maximum.

In addition local environmental factors play a crucial role; as clear skies with minimal cloud cover are essential for viewing. City lights also make for poor viewing as area light pollution can wash out the night sky.

The specific colors observed during a display are determined by the type of gas particles colliding in the atmosphere and the altitude at which these collisions occur. To stay informed, enthusiasts are encouraged to use specialized apps that track these real-time geomagnetic shifts and provide predicted viewing windows.

Image by Judi Oct 2026 Alaska

Following Are Regarded As The Best Places for Seeing the Northern Lights

1. Tromsø, Norway
◦ Known as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” Tromsø offers excellent viewing opportunities from late September to early April.
2. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
◦ Fairbanks is one of the best places in the U.S. to see the Northern Lights, particularly from late August to April.
3.Reykjavik, Iceland ◦ The capital city provides easy access to dark areas for viewing the lights, especially from September to April.

4. Yellowknife, Canada
◦ Located in the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife has a reputation for clear skies and frequent auroras from mid-November to early April.
5. Abisko, Sweden
◦ Abisko National Park is known for its clear weather and offers a great chance to see the auroras from November to March.
6. Rovaniemi, Finland
◦ The official hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi has great aurora viewing opportunities from late August to April.

Above is Tromso Norway (photo by our Daughter-In-Lae)

Tips for Viewing

• Check the Forecast: Look for aurora forecasts and weather conditions.
• Find Dark Areas: Get away from city lights for the best visibility.
• Be Patient: Sometimes, it may take time for the lights to appear

More information

Above is an image taken from the NOAA web site forcasting the Northern Lights (website found HERE.)

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. Here’s a detailed explanation of the process:

What are the Aurora Borealis

Solar Wind:
- The sun continuously emits a stream of charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, known as solar wind.
Earth’s Magnetic Field:
- When these charged particles reach Earth, they encounter the planet’s magnetic field, which acts as a protective shield. This magnetic field directs the particles toward the polar regions.
Atmospheric Interaction:
- As the solar wind particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere (mainly oxygen and nitrogen), they transfer energy to these gas atoms.
- This energy excites the gas atoms causing them to emit light when they return to their normal state.
Colors of the Aurora:
- The colors of the auroras depend on the type of gas involved along with the altitude at which the interactions occur:
  - Green: The most common color, produced by oxygen at lower altitudes (around 100 km).
  - Red: Caused by oxygen at higher altitudes (above 200 km).
  - Blue and Purple: Result from interactions with nitrogen molecules.

The Aurora Borealis is a breathtaking natural phenomenon resulting from the interaction between solar activity and Earth’s magnetic and atmospheric conditions. It is most visible in high-latitude regions near the Arctic and Antarctic, particularly during the winter months when the nights are longest.

The Right Guide Makes All The Difference

On our October 2026 trip to Fairbanks chasing the Northern Lights the viewing forecast wasn’t what we had hoped, but waiting around another week wasn’t an option. We had looked at several forecasting sites for our first planned night that included NOAA and the university in Fairbanks and seeing the lights wasn’t looking good but giving up wasn’t an option.

We had booked two nights through Get Your Guide and the scheduled first night was with Elena and Ed and their “Northern Lights Tour with Free Photos – Arctic Night Tours” and they were not actually all tha pessimistict.

Elena and Ed’s Get Your Guide Page Link

We were picked up at our hotel around 7:30 pm and were returned at about 5 :00 am. We were part of a group of ten in the van and we were thrilled that Elena and Ed didn’t let us down. Constantly watching their instuments and the sky they drove us all the way to Denali with about seven stops for viewing and pictures. Below is a collection of images taken by Ed – you be the judge…