5 Responses to “When is the best days to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Alaska in September 2009?”

1. 

   girls luv camping 2 said on March 28th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

   I hope these links are helpful.

2. 

   Glacierwolf said on March 31st, 2010 at 1:25 am

   I am a professional Alaskan aurora photograher. You can see some of my work at

   The aurora is caused by particles from the sun – either sunspot activity or solar flares. Currently, the sun is in a 100 year slump for producing these…….. and in the slump of a 11 year cycle – we have had almost no auroras in Alaska this winter. And not many are expected this coming winter.

   The only passenger train operates from Fairbanks to Anchorage in the summer during daylight hours.

   On my web site you will find links to aurora assets – other sites with information – and I have a 13 page aurora guide in the News Section.

   You can email me direct for any other info.

   Kevin

3. 

   Aurora said on April 2nd, 2010 at 1:16 pm

   I’ve read the best time is around the equinoxes (September 21 and March 21). Also, make sure you go to Fairbanks; your best viewing bets will be there.

4. 

   littlemissknowitall said on April 4th, 2010 at 8:18 am

   Go as far north as you can afford. Fairbanks or farther.
   Find a place to stay that has a good view to the North, and is not near a lot of city lights. Better to rent a car and stay in a Bed and Breakfast a little north of Fairbanks, such as Fox Creek B & B so you can be away from the city and so you can drive at night to look for aurora. Plan to stay up at night. The lights, if they come out, will be in the midnight to 2 a.m. range.
   You can check the University of Alaska Geophysical Institute web site for the aurora forecast. As was already mentioned, sun activity has been low and the aurora have not been very active this year.
   Travel as close to the end of the month as you can. If possible, go when there is no moon. You can check on for when the moon is dark in September.
   In case you don’t see the aurora, you can see two great indoor presentations in Fairbanks, one downtown at the Lacey Street Theatre Ice Museum and one at the University of Alaska Museum.
   As long as you are coming to Alaska, be sure and enjoy your trip. There are many things to see and do. The autumn leaves in September are great. You can drive into Denali National Park and take the park bus to see animals and maybe even Mt. McKinley. You can go on riverboat rides, pan for gold, and breathe the clean air. On the coast, you can sea kayak, see sea otters, and go fishing. Might even get to see a volcanic eruption.
   Have fun!

5. 

   golgafrincham said on April 7th, 2010 at 3:05 am

   Others have given you links to the Geophysical Institute, they provide a page that gives you the best odds of seeing the aurora, but it is honestly a crap-shoot. Either you see them or you don’t, there are high-probability days that the aurora never shows and low-probability days with great lights, so just cross your fingers. September is a decent time, but mid-winter is much better, since there is so much more night hours per day, so your odds go up dramatically.

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