Light chaser
Fly north and see the aurora
While the aurora is visible in the right conditions year-round, the longer nights of winter make its appearance more likely. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, “the aurora is formed from interactions between the solar wind streaming out from the sun and Earth’s protective magnetic field, or magnetosphere. The aurora is one manifestation of geomagnetic activity or geomagnetic storms.” The geomagnetic particles follow Earth’s magnetic field and congregate at the poles—in the north they’re called aurora borealis, in the south, aurora australis. This is why we must go far north or far south to see the aurora. And we’re lucky enough that there are several spots in the country where you may see them.
Fly to one of these far northern destinations and go hunting for a truly spectacular phenomenon. Before the trip, check the auroral forecast and hope for clear weather. Good luck!
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