It is a common misconception among tourists that in order to view the aurora borealis, they must travel to either northern Canada or northern Europe. However, it is possible to view this natural phenomenon without ever departing the United States. People from the United States who are interested in viewing the northern lights should head to Northern Alaska. It may be freezing in the winter (temperatures can dip to -30 degrees Fahrenheit), but the inland Arctic of Alaska is one of the greatest spots in the world to view this famed light show since the skies tend to be clearer there.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Alaska to See the Northern Lights?
Because solar activity is the origin of the northern lights, and because the sun is currently close to what is termed solar optimum, there is a lower possibility of experiencing a full-fledged auroral storm now than there was when solar activity was at its height. On the other hand, nightly displays of the northern lights are going to continue right up until the moment solar huge benefits in the year 2025. The true challenge is to locate a day with cloudless skies.
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The transitional periods of September and March tend to exhibits of the northern lights that are more intense than usual. This is because the Earth's tilt in regard to the sun causes the magnetic field of the Earth and the solar wind to be in sync during these months. March in an inland area in Alaska is considered to be the best time and site to maximise your chances of viewing the northern lights because of the higher possibility of clear skies during the spring season in Alaska.
If you really can find a place with clear, dark skies and start keeping an eye out for the aurora around sundown, there's a chance you'll see it. The optimal time to view the northern lights, as determined by the Geophysical Institute, is somewhere around the hour of midnight, give or take an hour. On the other hand, they could take place at any time.
The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is between the months of late August until late April, with the best month being March. However, this is a season that is distinguished more by the long, dark evenings than by the amount of solar activity. Forecasting solar activity, which is almost impossible with the technology we have available right now, is necessary for forecasting the northern lights.
However, according to what we know, the ideal place to view the aurora borealis is in Alaska at a latitude between 65 and 70 degrees north. It is better to ignore the more southernly locations of Anchorage as well as Juneau, which witness significantly less displays of the northern lights than Fairbanks, which is around 198 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks sees occasional displays of the northern lights.
Those who are interested in increasing their odds should travel to the more distant northern communities of Coldfoot in the Northwest Territories, or to Prudhoe Bay and Utqiagvik in the far northern regions of the United States. If you want to increase your chances of seeing the aurora borealis in Alaska, heading further north is a good idea.
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