Aurora Chasing

Catch the Aurora in Your Backyard

Welcome to my adventures in Aurora Chasing! This pursuit has led me to witness stunning displays of Northern Lights in two countries, from the U.S. to Iceland, and four states, including Alaska, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Next stop? Yellowknife, Canada!

View my latest presentations:
Chasing the Aurora Beyond the 45th Parallel

Get Aurora Advice on YouTube

Tips, Tools and Techniques to Catch Aurora in the Mid-latitudes

Take a look at some of the tools I’ve developed to help people everywhere catch the Northern Lights!

Photograph by Michele Duff Aucello.

Guides for Beginners

Train Your Eyes on the Sky: A Field Guide

So, you’ve chased the Northern Lights in the U.S. and come home empty-handed. You may have been looking right at the Aurora and not even realized it! This field guide will tell you how to know for sure.

Selected Presentation Slides

As founder of the Michigan Aurora Chasers, I’ve had some awesome opportunities across the country, whether it meant covering a rocket launch as a NASA Social Media Ambassador or publishing a best-selling book about chasing the Aurora “Below the 45th Parallel.” I draw inspiration from helping others to catch their first display of the Northern Lights, and showing them that the magic could happen in their own backyard.

Thank you to the many people and organizations who have invited me to speak or publish! Below are a few selected presentations:

Explore the thrill of Aurora Chasing!

Aurora Blog
Michigan Aurora Chasers
Beginner’s Guidebook

‘Beyond the 45th Parallel’

The 2nd Edition of my popular book “Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora in the Mid-Latitudes” offers those who are getting started more tools, tips and techniques for catching the Aurora in the places where they are extremely rare — beyond the latitude of 45° North in the Western Hemisphere.

This book was inspired in no small part by the Michigan Aurora Chasers, a group I founded in 2021. You see, it’s not always easy to catch Aurora at below the 45th Parallel. Here, Aurora displays can be subtle, brief, unexpected and barely visible to the unaided eye. But with advice from seasoned Aurora Chasers who have experienced their fair share of failure, you can find out what it takes to catch this elusive natural phenomenon in a location near you.

Just as I do online, I’ve published my best advice in an accessible way, simplifying some of the complicated science behind the Aurora and the solar wind, and discussing it in a warm, conversational tone. Sections are devoted to many of the major challenges facing Aurora Chasers, and seven new chapters expand the understanding of what it takes to catch the Aurora.

For over 12 years, I’ve volunteered in the Aurora Chasing community, and I absolutely love it! Even on the nights when it becomes painstakingly difficult. Even on the nights when we get aced. I find so much inspiration in sharing the Aurora’s dance. My goal is to help more people find, understand and celebrate the elusive Northern Lights!

Find the Book

Michigan Aurora Chasers

Have you heard of the Michigan Aurora Chasers? Did you know they now have a website? New in August 2024, the Michigan Aurora Chasers website is designed as a public resource anyone can use if they are located in tougher latitudes hoping to catch the Northern Lights. Even the Southern Lights!

The website features guides, resources, upcoming events, and a corner featuring new opportunities from the group founder, yours truly.

Explore the website

Slides Archive

From time to time, below you may find links to slides from my public presentations.

AMS/NWA September 25th: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_aUXI_0yf6JmK1PR5CqEJwPcNyfsLVWBTX1SRB8JtBI/edit?usp=sharing

Legends: Legends of the Aurora & More

NEWSTAR: Google Slides

Current Presentation: Google Slides

Star Party: Google Slides

Mi Aurora Workshop: Slides

May 1st: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ofWbAVcwvJW_KLjLGP0f6S0EJ6dPHN4kBYbmxZBPINM/edit?usp=sharing