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The southern lights (the Aurora Australis) are the exact same phenomenon when viewed in the southern hemisphere. The northern lights (also called the Aurora Borealis) are the name for the aurora when viewed from the northern hemisphere. The energy they release is light, which we see as the northern lights – or more scientifically speaking, the “aurora.” When this happens, atoms in our own atmosphere react, getting excited and releasing energy. In short, particles emitted from the sun – sometimes called solar wind – strike the atmosphere of Earth as they pass through space. No biggie – the science is actually pretty simple at its core. You know you want to see the northern lights… but maybe you’re not exactly sure what they are. This post was originally published in February 2019, and was updated most recently in January 2022 for this winter.įeatured photo credit: Bob Wick for BLM via Flickr Here’s all my knowledge and wisdom to help you plan an unforgettable trip to see the northern lights in Alaska. I’ve seen the northern lights in Alaska many times – including twice on my most recent trip (September 2021). If you want to see the aurora in Alaska, I’ve got you covered. While Alaska is certainly not close to the rest of the U.S., this works out in its favor: it’s far enough north and sparsely populated so that you can have amazing aurora viewing opportunities, even near major cities. Seeing the northern lights is one of the top reasons people travel to Alaska during the cold winter months, and it’s totally worth it. If you want to see the northern lights (or aurora borealis) in Alaska, you’re not alone. To say I love Alaska is definitely an understatement, and the chance to see the northern lights is just one of many reasons. The Best Place in the United States to see the Northern Lights.
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