Many of us have already seen and photographed them this season. That's right, they're back!
With the return of starry night skies comes a new season - aurora watching. Every fall and winter, eager aurora chasers are able to find this celestial wonder dancing across the sky in the Mat-Su Valley. As our planet quite literally leans into Alaska's winter season, chances of seeing the auroras will only continue to get better.
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that have to be seen to truly be appreciated. When the darker nights return to Southcentral Alaska in late fall, our eyes turn to the skies. We always get asked where is the best place to see the aurora, and if they are always out. The answer isn't a simple one. No, you're not guaranteed to see the northern lights every single night. But when they are out and the sky is clear, there are a number of great places to see them in the Mat-Su Valley. Cold, clear nights improve your chances of spotting them.
One of our favorite places to catch the northern lights is the Knik River Valley. While photographing them can be tricky, this location gives you a great opportunity to frame the northern lights with the Chugach Mountains, Knik River and other beautiful scenery. The same thing holds true for another one of our top spots - Hatcher Pass. In the northern regions of the Mat-Su Valley, Denali State Park is ideal because you can capture the Alaska Range and Denali in the same scene. Up the Glenn Highway toward Matanuska Glacier, the Glacier View community is another top spot.
If you want to see the northern lights, there are a few ways you can plan ahead to maximize your chances. First off, make sure you check the Aurora Forecast from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute to see if the forecast calls for a high probability of aurora activity. You can find it here. Then, pick a spot that isn't going to be impacted by city lights or overcast clouds that will obscure your view. Lastly, get ready to wait. The lights typically come out after midnight, and even then, it's not a guarantee, so make sure you dress warm.
As the fall turns to winter and the nights get longer and colder, the aurora viewing will continually get better and better. Make some hot cocoa and dig out your winter gear for a night spent under the lights.
Check out some of these images captured by aurora watchers in the Mat-Su Valley:
