Finding Northern Lights in Alaska just got easier

A few things visitors to Alaska hope to see are bears, moose and the Northern Lights. If you’re one of those people, then you are in luck on at least one count, for the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute has revamped its aurora forecast website, offering a more precise forecast than ever before of the Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights are an aurora -- a luminous glow of the upper atmosphere which is caused by energetic particles that enter the atmosphere from above. Watching this happen is like watching the sky dance -- a spectacular light show that only Mother Nature could produce.

A daily forecast at the website has been offered for years, but now includes an hour-by-hour look at conditions. The revamped site offers information to help users understand how the scientists made their forecasts as well as one-hour, one-day and 28-day forecasts. Site visitors can choose from five maps where the aurora can be seen, from Alaska to Canada to Northern Europe and Antarctica. Visit the website.

Photo courtesy University of Alaska Geophysical Institute, Fairbanks