Comments for Northern Lights Tour and Aurora Borealis Travel Guide http://northernlightstour.com Guide for Northern Lights Tour - Aurora Borealis Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:46:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Am I bound to see the northern lights on vacation in Alaska? by Aurora http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/comment-page-1/#comment-997 Aurora Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:46:43 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/#comment-997 Here's a number you can call for an aurora forecast: (303) 497-3235. If the K index is 5 or higher, you can see them in the continental US. I saw a really spectacular display in Seattle once, when the K index was 7. I think you can see them in Fairbanks if the K index is 2, or even 1. Here’s a number you can call for an aurora forecast: (303) 497-3235. If the K index is 5 or higher, you can see them in the continental US. I saw a really spectacular display in Seattle once, when the K index was 7.

I think you can see them in Fairbanks if the K index is 2, or even 1.

]]> Comment on Is it true that if you watch the Northern Lights, you get exposed to solar radiation? by Al Moskowitz http://northernlightstour.com/445/is-it-true-that-if-you-watch-the-northern-lights-you-get-exposed-to-solar-radiation/comment-page-1/#comment-1077 Al Moskowitz Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:22:12 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/445/is-it-true-that-if-you-watch-the-northern-lights-you-get-exposed-to-solar-radiation/#comment-1077 Not true... The upper atmosphere is excited by the particles from the sun guided in by the earth's magnetic field. The northern lights are a result of a reaction very similar to the mechanism of a neon sign and have the same level of toxicity - NONE. You are just as safe watching them as you are standing under the nightime sky anywhere in the world. Where he might be getting confused is the effect that can happen to you at the South pole. In Antarctica, the Ozone layer is largely missing, the continent is very high, dry and cold. These conditions in addition to the radiation that makes it to the surface because of the "Ozone hole" is very dangerous to an unprotected living organism... Hope that helps... Not true… The upper atmosphere is excited by the particles from the sun guided in by the earth’s magnetic field. The northern lights are a result of a reaction very similar to the mechanism of a neon sign and have the same level of toxicity – NONE. You are just as safe watching them as you are standing under the nightime sky anywhere in the world.

Where he might be getting confused is the effect that can happen to you at the South pole. In Antarctica, the Ozone layer is largely missing, the continent is very high, dry and cold. These conditions in addition to the radiation that makes it to the surface because of the “Ozone hole” is very dangerous to an unprotected living organism…

Hope that helps…

]]> Comment on Is it true that if you watch the Northern Lights, you get exposed to solar radiation? by Oakine http://northernlightstour.com/445/is-it-true-that-if-you-watch-the-northern-lights-you-get-exposed-to-solar-radiation/comment-page-1/#comment-1076 Oakine Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:48:25 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/445/is-it-true-that-if-you-watch-the-northern-lights-you-get-exposed-to-solar-radiation/#comment-1076 How can they put off any level of radiation? I can't for a moment believe that would be true. There are all kinds of tours for the northern lights, so that has to make it a reasonable doubt to them being harmful. How can they put off any level of radiation? I can’t for a moment believe that would be true. There are all kinds of tours for the northern lights, so that has to make it a reasonable doubt to them being harmful.

]]> Comment on Am I bound to see the northern lights on vacation in Alaska? by dewclaw http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/comment-page-1/#comment-996 dewclaw Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:12:33 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/#comment-996 It is possible to see them but only when the sky is dark, so you need to be out a lot late at night. And the viewing is best father away from towns and electric lights. I actually saw some a few night back at about 2 AM. They are unpredictable, and shows can last mere seconds to much longer. Mid winter shows can be extreme, but then your dealing with the cold, whereas now its not so bad to stand outside for hours. Some places out of town have 'aurora viewing' Chena Hot Springs is best known, and they have a whole range of activities (need to check dog mushing off your bucket list? or an ice bar?) But if you prefer something less touristy check out the Chatanika Lodge: here is some information from the UAF Geophysical Institute: they even have a travelers guide to help you out: And the UAF museum has excellent DVD's that showcase and explain Aurora And this site also has some great Aurora info: and a video for fun: It is possible to see them but only when the sky is dark, so you need to be out a lot late at night. And the viewing is best father away from towns and electric lights.
I actually saw some a few night back at about 2 AM. They are unpredictable, and shows can last mere seconds to much longer.
Mid winter shows can be extreme, but then your dealing with the cold, whereas now its not so bad to stand outside for hours.

Some places out of town have ‘aurora viewing’ Chena Hot Springs is best known, and they have a whole range of activities (need to check dog mushing off your bucket list? or an ice bar?)

But if you prefer something less touristy check out the Chatanika Lodge:

here is some information from the UAF Geophysical Institute:
they even have a travelers guide to help you out:

And the UAF museum has excellent DVD’s that showcase and explain Aurora

And this site also has some great Aurora info:

and a video for fun:

]]> Comment on Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Alaska? by fidowithaspot http://northernlightstour.com/373/where-is-the-best-place-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-alaska/comment-page-1/#comment-990 fidowithaspot Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:46:33 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/373/where-is-the-best-place-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-alaska/#comment-990 Fairbanks. It has the most number of aurora active days per year of any US city. It's relatively easy to get to and far enough north that if there is any activity you will see it. As you probably know it's not a good place to see it during the summer because there's too much light for too long in the sky, but that shouldn't be a problem when you want to go. Fairbanks. It has the most number of aurora active days per year of any US city. It’s relatively easy to get to and far enough north that if there is any activity you will see it. As you probably know it’s not a good place to see it during the summer because there’s too much light for too long in the sky, but that shouldn’t be a problem when you want to go.

]]> Comment on Am I bound to see the northern lights on vacation in Alaska? by firefighter http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/comment-page-1/#comment-995 firefighter Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:00:27 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/#comment-995 in the winter. in the winter.

]]> Comment on Am I bound to see the northern lights on vacation in Alaska? by alaska grown. http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/comment-page-1/#comment-994 alaska grown. Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:17:54 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/#comment-994 If you're not in Anchorage (too many city lights to see them) and it's in Nov-Feb, clear outside, and below zero, you MAY see it. If you’re not in Anchorage (too many city lights to see them) and it’s in Nov-Feb, clear outside, and below zero, you MAY see it.

]]> Comment on Best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska? by Marah http://northernlightstour.com/382/best-time-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-alaska/comment-page-1/#comment-1000 Marah Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:41:02 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/382/best-time-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-alaska/#comment-1000 Best time: March or September An hour and a half from sunset. Best time: 10 PM to 2 AM. Best place: Fairbanks The best night is a clear one. Best time: March or September
An hour and a half from sunset. Best time: 10 PM to 2 AM.
Best place: Fairbanks
The best night is a clear one.

]]> Comment on Am I bound to see the northern lights on vacation in Alaska? by Anita http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/comment-page-1/#comment-993 Anita Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:20:23 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/#comment-993 It does not seem likely. The aurorae are created when energetic particles from the Sun collide with Earth's magnetic field. So the more solar activity in the form of sunspots and solar flares, the more likely an aurora will be within the following 2 days or so, but right now solar activity is at an minimum, 51 days without a sunspot, so the occurrence of aurorae is minimal as well. It does not seem likely. The aurorae are created when energetic particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s magnetic field. So the more solar activity in the form of sunspots and solar flares, the more likely an aurora will be within the following 2 days or so, but right now solar activity is at an minimum, 51 days without a sunspot, so the occurrence of aurorae is minimal as well.

]]> Comment on Am I bound to see the northern lights on vacation in Alaska? by Joe C http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/comment-page-1/#comment-992 Joe C Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:28:55 +0000 http://northernlightstour.com/376/am-i-bound-to-see-the-northern-lights-on-vacation-in-alaska/#comment-992 The aurora borealis most often occurs from September to October and from March to April. They are unpredictable and are are caused by solar activity. BTW You don't have to go to Alaska to see them. I once saw them in upstate NY. The aurora borealis most often occurs from September to October and from March to April. They are unpredictable and are are caused by solar activity. BTW You don’t have to go to Alaska to see them. I once saw them in upstate NY.

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