So, you want to see the Aurora! The first thing on your mind is probably “Where should I go?”
If you’re just starting out on your Aurora Chasing journey, you might find it hard to decide where to go. People across the world dream of seeing the Northern Lights, but how far north do they need to be to witness it? Some even chase the Southern Lights, Aurora that develop around the magnetic south pole. In that case, it might even help to be on the ocean!
Myself, I’m a firm believer that if you learn the game of chasing, you can see the Aurora anywhere, even right in your backyard. That is, if you live far enough north or far enough south. But it will take patience as you wait for the next strong geomagnetic storm to strike — leading to visible Aurora!
If you want to travel away from home, there’s a lot to take into consideration. With gratitude, the amazing photo featured here on this blog is courtesy of Sherri Yezbick-Taylor!
Empowering You to Be Successful
My biggest goal in Aurora Chasing is to empower beginners to be successful. There are many considerations that can help novice chasers catch the Aurora. In the mid-latitudes, we find so many obstacles to overcome, at times, it can be mind-boggling. Learning how to beat the obstacles is key. These special considerations are the reason why I created a new guide: “An Empowered Guide to Viewing Locations.”
As a beginner, it may be tempting to ask for one location where you can go. Fast. Easy. Simple. But as people have stated in my community, if they had simply asked for one location and stuck to it, they might have failed in their attempts to see the Aurora. That’s because catching the Aurora at lower latitudes, unless you’re incredibly lucky, is not fast, easy, or simple.
Perhaps wildfire smoke obscured the view in that location on a night of active Aurora. Perhaps new installations of artificial light now drown out the darkness in what was previously a pristine setting. Perhaps those in charge decided to close access to a specific location, due to massive crowds and the resulting damages to land or property.
When we become empowered to chase the Aurora to our own viewing locations, our chances of success improve.
Suddenly, we have the tools we need to be successful. We can change direction at a moment’s notice to avoid cloud cover, or adventure out into a foggy night with a solid Plan B. Choosing our own locations comes with many positive side effects, outside of ourselves as well. Simply by traveling in smaller groups, we can reduce bottleneck traffic, unwanted noise, excessive light, or disruptions to wildlife — and even humans — who have homes nearby.
The Empowerment Principle
In my communities, we empower people to find their own viewing locations and, above all, to keep exact locations or park names off of large public forums, to protect wildlife, vegetation, property, and humans. In countless ways, chasing in small, sustainable groups reduces damage and risk.
My new guide is a working document centered on the idea that we can all be empowered to find a viewing location that’s an ideal fit for our own unique needs and desires. The guide also encourages Aurora Chasers to be discrete when sharing viewing locations, in order to protect life, property, and the beautiful planet we love.
To get you started, here are a set of tips from “An Empowered Guide to Viewing Locations.” If you have 15 minutes to spare, please take time to visit the full guide. Whether you are chasing close to home or not, these tips can help you find the perfect spot to catch the Northern — or Southern — Lights!
Seven Ways to Find a Viewing Location
- Scout our your own viewing location.
Take a joy ride during the daylight in your neighborhood, county, or even the place you like to vacation most. Keep your eyes open for park signs, public places, safe pullovers and other features, and take note of Aurora viewing advantages, such as an open northern horizon, lack of development, water features or high altitudes. For good viewing, return after dark to ensure any locations you find still feel safe and are free of light pollution. - Visit a dark sky place in the north.
Use this search tool from International Dark Skies to find protected land and night skies in 22 countries on 6 continents:
https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/all-places/ - Use a light pollution map to pinpoint darkness near you.
Many interactive light pollution maps, also called dark sky maps, are available for free use online. Here is one great example:
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/ - View open-source maps offered by various groups.
Some clubs or social media groups share lists of locations for their members or in public databases, so take a look around inside your groups or social media channels. As one example, this world map started in the Southern Hemisphere Aurora Group:
Global Aurora Sighting Map | Hunter Heliophysics - Browse locations near you from previous Aurora Sightings.
Simply find a social media group for your region to get started! Then read the captions on the photos for the city or county name. Once you have a place to start, you can then look up parks, lakes or other nature-surrounded settings nearby. - Watch a video tutorial.
Learn how to find a unique dark viewing location near you with a step-by-step tutorial on my YouTube channel. This tutorial shows you how you can pinpoint great locations simply using the zoom button and a light pollution guide.
Watch: “Find a Viewing Location Anywhere Using Dark Sky & Light Pollution Maps” - Read listicles, articles or advice columns.
As the Aurora gain popularity as a topic around the world, more news outlets, entertainment guides, and leisure websites are creating lists and guides to meet the demand for tips and advice. Run a search on top ten lists or articles describing where to go to view the Aurora. I’ve also devoted an entire section to these listicles in my new guide.
View An Empowered Guide to Viewing Locations
Related Columns from my Blog
What types of structures, landscapes and lighting make for good Aurora Chasing and Photography? Find out in these fun columns on my blog:
- “Make or Break Your Shot: The Beauty of Night Sky Etiquette”
- “A Unique Viewing Location for Everyone”
- “Scout Out the Best Viewing Location”
- Still having trouble catching the Aurora?
“Ask How, Not Where to View the Aurora”
melissa f. kaelin 