The field guide
A little knowledge.
A better night.
Know the sky. Find your horizon. Come home with a story.
Where to look near Anchorage
A dark location is useful only if you can reach it responsibly and the forecast supports the trip.
How to read an aurora forecast
Activity, clear skies and darkness answer different questions. You need to consider them together.
When is aurora season in Alaska?
Northern lights do not follow a tourism calendar. Alaska's changing daylight determines when you can look for them.
Why clouds can decide your night
Aurora happens far above weather clouds. A strong display can still be hidden from the ground.
Photographing your first aurora
Start with a stable camera and a simple composition. Let the conditions guide your settings.
A safer winter aurora outing
The forecast is optional. A safe trip home is not.
What Kp does—and does not—tell you
Kp measures global geomagnetic disturbance. It is not a northern-lights visibility percentage.