![]() ![]() But there’s plenty of moose to look at when you’re not watching the sky. Northern Lights in AnchorageĪnchorage also witnesses tantalizing displays, just not as frequently as Fairbanks and Denali as it’s farther south. If the stars align and the conditions are ripe for the show, try to find a clear viewing path, free of buildings and forest and face north, as that’s where activity starts. Denali National Parkĭenali National Park is another good option in early spring or fall, as it’s far enough north and free from light pollution. There is also an Alaska igloo hotel 25 miles from Fairbanks, known as the Borealis Basecamp. The city is full of modern conveniences and there are many Fairbanks northern lights tours. Fairbanks is located inside the Auroral Oval, the geomagnetic North Pole. It consistently tops the list of places in Alaska and the world to catch the dazzling display and it’s not because the dancing green lights just happen to favor this gold rush boomtown. When it comes to northern lights, Fairbanks knows what’s up. To give yourself the best possible chance of a northern lights encounter, take an Alaska cruise tour and visit these locations: Fairbanks, a Northern Lights Favoriteįairbanks is the best place to see northern lights in Alaska for visitors. That said, some towns in Alaska are better for Aurora Borealis viewing than others. What is the Best Place to See Northern Lights in Alaska?Īlaska is by far the best place to see the northern lights in the U.S., though they have been reported as far south as Honolulu. If you’d rather cruise to Alaska in summer, don’t expect to see the northern lights, but do soak up that midnight sunshine. They also love to come out near the equinox as that’s when there are more disturbances in earth’s magnetic field, so choosing an itinerary close to the Autumnal Equinox may help your chances. These finnicky ballerinas prefer the hours between midnight and 4:00 a.m. As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. That said, being in the right place at the right time of year increases the odds.Īlaska’s northern lights viewing season stretches from late August through late April. Like other natural occurrences, the Aurora Borealis come out to play when they feel like it. The sky may be nature’s theater, but there’s no set time for this show. Watch the Kp-index, an aurora activity indicator to find out when conditions are ideal What is the Best Time to See Northern Lights in Alaska? We just headed into a high activity cycle, Solar Cycle 25. The sun alternates between a high activity cycle and low activity cycle every eleven years or so. The northern lights or aurora borealis aren’t predictable, but they are more likely to display during high solar activity cycles. ![]() They occur all year long but are only visible when the sky is dark and clear. ![]() ![]() The northern lights happen when charged particles from the sun enter the atmosphere and collide with gas atoms in Earth's atmosphere. The Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis are one and the same - most people call them Northern Lights, while the scientific name is Aurora Borealis. Here’s all you need to know to pick the best time to see northern lights in Alaska. But like most things in nature, they might not show, even if you visit Alaska at the best time. Some claim they can even hear auroral sounds! The northern lights or Aurora Borealis is a top-listed experience on many travelers’ bucket lists. Spectators gaze at the sky in awe or snap photos well into the middle of the night. The supernal shimmer of emerald and violet begins with a few streaks and then breaks out into a graceful ballet. Viewing the Alaska northern lights takes the right timing, the right location and the right conditions. ![]()
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