Anyone been to Alaska to see the Northern Lights?

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railsplitter

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Alaska and the Northern Lights have been on my bucket list a while, and I'm planning on making it a reality this coming January. From my research so far, Fairbanks is the place to go, and airline prices seem to drop to almost half of what they are right now. I found a website that forecasts the Aurora about 3 weeks into the future ( https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast ), so I'm going to try and use it to plan and go when activity is projected to be the highest. I would greatly appreciate any tips and/or recommendations any of you who've been might have.
 
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yup. It's an amazing sight.
 
I lived there in the 80’s. Loved it. While I can’t really give you any current recommendations, I envy you getting to go and see them for the first time. Probably one of the most beautiful things I ever seen.
 
Definitely a bucket list thing. Good luck!
 
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no tips - cause ive never been that far north - but i was lucky enough to see them from nc

this was at groundhog mtn on the blue ridge in 2002 while i was up there setting up for some astrophotography with my scope. it started as a faint glow that looked like a large spotlight shining up vertically, then expanded to several that gradually grew into several wavy shapes of light. it only lasted around 7 minutes before fading away but fortunately i already had half my gear out and was able to photograph.
 
Alaska is on my Bucket List too!
 
19 years in Fairbanks, loved the lights.
Usually well below zero when they show the best.
Seeing them from the outdoor rock pond at Chena hot springs is good times and a one of kind experience. And there's a little scenery along the drive. Circle remains closed I believe, it had a grown up option.
If you want pictures make sure you have a camera that can handle it.
 
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I go to northern Wisconsin to Grouse hunt and stay in Mercer which is 30 miles south of the UP of Michigan and I have seen what I think are the northern lights a couple of times. The locals say they are the NL's also and watching out of town a couple of miles is a community gathering.
 
Reminds me I haven't seen Northern Exposure for years. That was a good show. There was a sub plot about luring Japanese tourists since they felt children conceived under the northern lights would be superior.
 
Beef15 said:
19 years in Fairbanks, loved the lights.
Usually well below zero when they show the best.
Seeing them from the outdoor rock pond at Chena hot springs is good times and a one of kind experience. And there's a little scenery along the drive. Circle remains closed I believe it had a grown up option.
If you want pictures make sure you have a camera that can handle it.
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Now that you mention it, I have seen on several different sites where it mentions photography workshops. So I'm guessing a $120 camera and my smartphone ain't gonna cut it? I know zilch about cameras, so can you tell me as a minimum what I ought to be looking at getting? I've been thinking about getting a go-pro, would one of those be good enough?
 
Railsplitter said:
Now that you mention it, I have seen on several different sites where it mentions photography workshops. So I'm guessing a $120 camera and my smartphone ain't gonna cut it? I know zilch about cameras, so can you tell me as a minimum what I ought to be looking at getting? I've been thinking about getting a go-pro, would one of those be good enough?
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I probably know less than you about cameras, I don't think I ever took a pic of the lights. I know from others there was a certain art to getting quality pics as the light they put off while sometimes very visible to us, did not get picked up well by some cameras.
 
Bailey Boat said:
I go to northern Wisconsin to Grouse hunt and stay in Mercer which is 30 miles south of the UP of Michigan and I have seen what I think are the northern lights a couple of times. The locals say they are the NL's also and watching out of town a couple of miles is a community gathering.
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I've seen the NL from Norther Michigan on several occasions.
 
Ya'll think there's any chance I'll ever see 'em from Here???? Farthest north I'm going is Wagram. Phillip's Store.
 
Stout said:
Reminds me I haven't seen Northern Exposure for years. That was a good show. There was a sub plot about luring Japanese tourists since they felt children conceived under the northern lights would be superior.
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Yes they do, I think it's luck or prosperity it's supposed to bestow. Largest winter tourist group by far.
 
We actually saw them in Wake County NC about 18-20 years ago in a highly unusual event.
 
Railsplitter said:
Now that you mention it, I have seen on several different sites where it mentions photography workshops. So I'm guessing a $120 camera and my smartphone ain't gonna cut it? I know zilch about cameras, so can you tell me as a minimum what I ought to be looking at getting? I've been thinking about getting a go-pro, would one of those be good enough?
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I have a GoPro 6 and it has a time lapse feature that could be interesting....
 
fieldgrade said:
We actually saw them in Wake County NC about 18-20 years ago in a highly unusual event.
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+1 I saw them that time from chez-Aardvark near Iredell/Yadkin County line.

The first time I saw them while working in Edmonton Alberta in the early 1980s was surprisingly emotionally awe-inspiring for me.
 
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