Setting the Course for 2026 & Beyond
We are living in difficult times. As an empath, I’ve been quite distracted by what is happening to my nation and my world. It’s even had me consider whether to withdraw from my creative pursuits entirely. I’ve done a lot of reading and reflecting, though, and that is not what humans need. We need hope, we need light, and we need to hold onto our joy.
So, instead, I am pushing forward. If you’re like me, and at times you’re finding it hard to breathe or hard to think, consider stopping by my special issues webpage: Breathe.
Now, I can set that aside and give you an exclusive lens into everything I am working on for 2026! Among the projects include new writing and possibly a new book, guided Northern Lights Chases that are free and open to the anyone, public events and book signings, and contests to win big in our communities.
This new year is bound to bring a lot of uncertainty, but I am here for our community. I’m still setting a course for 2026, hoping for the best. I’ll simply expect the unexpected!
An Adventure to Witness Finland’s Arctic Magnificence
Pinch me! I’m dreaming again! I’ll be travel writing as I lead an alumni association tour to Finland from February 24-March 4, 2026, where we will chase the Northern Lights to the Arctic Circle. This will be my third time stepping foot inside the Arctic Circle, and I have a feeling it will be one of the most magnificent. I definitely need to get out a tripod when I capture snapshots from this trip!
You can follow the adventure, as I write about it on my Substack, “Beyond the Aurora”! It’s such a great platform, I moved my annual Year in Review over there, as well as most of my creative nonfiction. In the current state of affairs, I anticipate one day going silent on Facebook, so you might want to hop over to Substack or BlueSky, if you still want to be connected on social media.
Substack is free, modern and beautiful, filled with authors and photographers, and it lets you subscribe ONLY if you choose to. You can always skip ahead to view the content!
A Virtual Event to Guide You to the Northern Lights!
Perfect for beginners or those with 3-10 Northern Lights displays under their belt, I’ve launched a virtual workshop to be held in the evening on February 2, 2026. This may become a series of workshops where I cover special topics on the Northern Lights and Astrotourism travel, held about once a month, but I have only had time to set up one, so far. Don’t miss it!
Come learn how to see the Northern Lights — or catch it more often — with new tools and guides, as well as a free download. The workshop will last about an hour online, but we’ll have a second hour available for questions, open discussion, and more. Many more events are coming up, so stay with me. Presenting the virtual workshop!
Join me for “Guiding You to the Northern Lights: A Virtual Workshop”
February 2, 2026
7-8pm, Followed by discussion and personalized advice from 8-9pm ET
$25 plus fees, Open to the public
Registration is required to get the workshop link and passcode. You do not need to have a Zoom account to participate, just an internet browser. Once you have the passcode, you can click this link to join the event on Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/MyAuroraWorkshop
Guided Aurora Chases with the Michigan Aurora Chasers
We asked the beloved community I created what they value most, and it is the people! They love the chance to gather and learn from one another and catch the Northern Lights together. I’m honored that my leadership team and I have been able to make that possible.
So, our quest to lead more guided Northern Lights Chases continues! We have already set the date for our first Michigan Aurora Experience, an opportunity to make your plans in advance and enjoy Michigan’s dark night skies. We can’t make any guarantees when we plan a chase this far out, but our MAC Experience event series is 2 for 3 on catching the Aurora!
Come out to join us on the chase! Take advantage of all the events we have coming up this year. More will be posted on our website, as soon as they are announced. In these strange times, we also offer two ways to get event invitations, the first of which is way better with a monthly routine:
- Subscribe for free emails to Melissa’s “Opportunities Newsletter” on Substack: Click Opportunities and Sign Up
- Subscribe for occasional free emails from the Michigan Aurora Chasers — we send an update only when we have major news to share: Click News & Updates
When is the first guided Aurora Chase scheduled?
MI Aurora Experience: Wilderness ’26
7:45pm ET/Sunset, Friday, March 20, 2026
Dark Sky Viewing Area, Wilderness State Park, Mackinaw City, Michigan
Free and open to the public, no registration required
Details: https://MichiganAuroraChasers.com/experience/
Opportunities to Compete with Your Photography
The year came in hard and fast, and with a lot of chaos, in my opinion. So, some details are still coming together. But the Michigan Aurora Chasers will be celebrating their 5th Anniversary on January 20, 2026, and we are excited!! Our Contests page will tell you a lot more, very soon.
Here’s a sneak preview. Think cash prizes. Think photography prints. Think graphic design and T-SHIRTS. Think of an International Dark Sky Park exhibiting your photography on the park center walls! Imagine seeing your work in a Traveling Exhibit — that’s something you can already do.
I’ll announce these things in my Opportunities email newsletter, linked above, and many announcements will go live by January 20 — just days away.
Honestly, There’s A Lot Happening…
We move fast and wild, sometimes, in modern times! Take a minute to tour any of my websites and use that navigation menu to see everything that’s there. Or I’ll point you to some more gems below.
Let’s embark on an adventure!
Yours Truly….
Adventures: Behind the Scenes • Connect with Me! • View All Events • Beyond the Aurora • Free Aurora Chasing Advice • Subscribe to Emails • Breathe…
Michigan Aurora Chasers…
Connect with Us! • Get Free Aurora Alerts • Buy Merch & Gear • Exhibits • Contests • Subscribe to our Blog • Tell Your Story! • Celebrating Five Years!
melissa f. kaelin 