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Trip Report: Ultimate Northern Lights - March 2023
Trip Report: Ultimate Northern Lights - March 2023
by Douglas Marshall
The Northern Lights or the Aurora borealis, as we know them, were named by Galileo some 400 years ago for the Roman Goddess of the Dawn- Aurora, and the Latin word meaning “North”- Borealis.
The Northern Lights have many different names and significances to the numerous cultures that first experienced them, including influencing their art, folklore, and religion. Depending on the traditions, the appearance of the lights ranged from good omens to very bad and evil forewarnings. Fire Foxes in the sky that would bring good luck to anyone who could capture them, the spirits of dead warriors finding their way to Valhalla, the foreboding prophecy of the blood of warriors yet to be spilled, or the deceased ancestors playing a ball game with a walrus skull.
Today, we understand the science behind this incredible phenomenon and watch and photograph in awe of the amazing show that appears before us.
The Northern Lights have many different names and significances to the numerous cultures that first experienced them, including influencing their art, folklore, and religion. Depending on the traditions, the appearance of the lights ranged from good omens to very bad and evil forewarnings. Fire Foxes in the sky that would bring good luck to anyone who could capture them, the spirits of dead warriors finding their way to Valhalla, the foreboding prophecy of the blood of warriors yet to be spilled, or the deceased ancestors playing a ball game with a walrus skull.
Today, we understand the science behind this incredible phenomenon and watch and photograph in awe of the amazing show that appears before us.
The science behind the Auroras has been speculated for many years but it has only been definitively proven by scientists as recently as 2021, and what they have discovered is quite amazing.
Geomagnetic storms on our sun pull on the earth’s magnetic fields. This action causes cosmic undulations called Alfvén waves. These waves are propelled at high rates of speed toward the Earth. These waves then pick up other electrons that are also traveling toward Earth. Much like a surfer catching a wave, these electrons now hitching a ride, hit the earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million miles an hour. When these electrons enter the earth’s atmosphere, they collide into gas molecules, mostly oxygen and nitrogen, and send these molecules into an excited state.
When these molecules finally slow down, they release light, that we then see as the Aurora. The different colors that we see are the result of these different molecules and where in the atmosphere they slow down. Green, the most common color one sees in the Auroras, is a result of atomic oxygen around 60-100 miles above the surface of the earth. Nitrogen molecules at around 60 miles above the earth cause the violet colors one sees. Blue light is seen from much lower particles that are 60 miles or less above the earth. The rare red colors, one can observe, are oxygen molecules in the uppermost atmosphere of 150 miles or higher above the surface of the earth.
Geomagnetic storms on our sun pull on the earth’s magnetic fields. This action causes cosmic undulations called Alfvén waves. These waves are propelled at high rates of speed toward the Earth. These waves then pick up other electrons that are also traveling toward Earth. Much like a surfer catching a wave, these electrons now hitching a ride, hit the earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million miles an hour. When these electrons enter the earth’s atmosphere, they collide into gas molecules, mostly oxygen and nitrogen, and send these molecules into an excited state.
When these molecules finally slow down, they release light, that we then see as the Aurora. The different colors that we see are the result of these different molecules and where in the atmosphere they slow down. Green, the most common color one sees in the Auroras, is a result of atomic oxygen around 60-100 miles above the surface of the earth. Nitrogen molecules at around 60 miles above the earth cause the violet colors one sees. Blue light is seen from much lower particles that are 60 miles or less above the earth. The rare red colors, one can observe, are oxygen molecules in the uppermost atmosphere of 150 miles or higher above the surface of the earth.
Photographing the Auroras is entertaining and exciting, but it also can be quite challenging. Being familiar with one’s camera and how to change functions in the dark and extremely cold temperatures is a huge advantage. Also having some functions preset before going out into the dark and extremely cold temperatures helps in not missing the show once it starts. Conditions change rapidly, so the fewer adjustments needed to begin shooting, the better. Much of the orientation was spent talking about these presets and preparing everyone’s camera before we even stepped outside the van.
Photographing the Aurora is unlike other Astro/nighttime photography. The marvel of the Auroras moves quickly and abruptly, especially as they become more intense. Brightness and movement become factors in exposure, so adjustments need to be made in an efficient and timely manner, which is quite different from other Astrophotography.
Lights may appear in one part of the sky and then another show explodes in a different section of the heavens, forcing one to move their camera gear and then recompose their shot. Other times the lights stay low in the horizon for a nice horizontal composition, and suddenly, the lights begin to dance high above one’s head and a vertical framing is more fitting and requires a quick reposition of the camera.
Making these adjustments in the dark can be difficult, as well as maintaining the manual focus needed for sharp images with all this camera movement can be exacting. Both groups seemed up for these challenges and became more efficient in working their cameras as the week progressed, allowing for some incredible captures of the lights!
Photographing the Aurora is unlike other Astro/nighttime photography. The marvel of the Auroras moves quickly and abruptly, especially as they become more intense. Brightness and movement become factors in exposure, so adjustments need to be made in an efficient and timely manner, which is quite different from other Astrophotography.
Lights may appear in one part of the sky and then another show explodes in a different section of the heavens, forcing one to move their camera gear and then recompose their shot. Other times the lights stay low in the horizon for a nice horizontal composition, and suddenly, the lights begin to dance high above one’s head and a vertical framing is more fitting and requires a quick reposition of the camera.
Making these adjustments in the dark can be difficult, as well as maintaining the manual focus needed for sharp images with all this camera movement can be exacting. Both groups seemed up for these challenges and became more efficient in working their cameras as the week progressed, allowing for some incredible captures of the lights!
Taking a photography trip in which, the main priority is to photograph something as unpredictable as the Auroras is always a roll of the dice, but there are ways to help put the odds in one’s favor. This is exactly what BCJ and strong planning from the guides do on the Ultimate Northern Lights trips. Because of this planning, the odds certainly seemed to play out in our favor for these trips!
The first week’s group saw 3 out of 6 nights of lights and the second week’s participants experienced an amazing 5 out of 6 nights of the Auroras! Factors such as the time of year (the lights tend to be more active around the Equinoxes), Kp indexes (the scale used to rate the intensity level of the geomagnetic activity), and when these Kp levels are predicated to occur in one’s area, clear skies or finding clear skies, solar wind activity, and LOTS of patience are all variables that need to be managed or need to exist in order to successfully experience and photograph the Northern Lights.
The first week’s group saw 3 out of 6 nights of lights and the second week’s participants experienced an amazing 5 out of 6 nights of the Auroras! Factors such as the time of year (the lights tend to be more active around the Equinoxes), Kp indexes (the scale used to rate the intensity level of the geomagnetic activity), and when these Kp levels are predicated to occur in one’s area, clear skies or finding clear skies, solar wind activity, and LOTS of patience are all variables that need to be managed or need to exist in order to successfully experience and photograph the Northern Lights.
BCJ’s UNL trips are based out of Alaska’s second-largest city, Fairbanks, for several reasons. The most important is its location in the interior of Alaska. This affords greater odds of clear skies, and it is situated under the Aurora Oval, where the lights are best seen.
Fairbanks also offers other cultural events and activities that our guests can participate in, between chasing the lights and sleeping!
One activity that ranked high on everyone’s list was our trip out to Bill Cotter’s Kennels for dog sledding! A tremendous experience to see first-hand, these amazing dogs and all the hard work that goes into a dog sled team. The opportunity for guests to ride in a sled or stand up on a sled and assist in the “mushing” was a memorable and thrilling experience.
Another event that the groups were able to encounter was the World Ice Art Championship. A brilliant display of ice sculptures from artists from around the world. These sculptures had incredible and intricate detail to them, that was truly awe-inspiring.
Fairbanks also offers other cultural events and activities that our guests can participate in, between chasing the lights and sleeping!
One activity that ranked high on everyone’s list was our trip out to Bill Cotter’s Kennels for dog sledding! A tremendous experience to see first-hand, these amazing dogs and all the hard work that goes into a dog sled team. The opportunity for guests to ride in a sled or stand up on a sled and assist in the “mushing” was a memorable and thrilling experience.
Another event that the groups were able to encounter was the World Ice Art Championship. A brilliant display of ice sculptures from artists from around the world. These sculptures had incredible and intricate detail to them, that was truly awe-inspiring.
It was such an honor to be able to share such amazing occurrences like experiencing and photographing the Aurora Borealis, and the other adventures I had with all the guests on both trips. The Northern Lights are a magical event that show up on many individuals’ bucket lists, and it is extremely rewarding and gratifying to have helped these guests check that one off! I know I found it thrilling, and I trust my enthusiasm was contagious! I am anticipating my next UNL already!
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AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Doug received his first camera, a Kodak Brownie, at the age of six. That’s the day he fell in love with the fact that one could essentially freeze a moment in time with a click of a button. That Brownie met its demise only a few days later, as Doug was running up the backstairs to his house in rural Pennsylvania and he tripped, smashing the camera into a multitude of pieces. Despite being totally devastated, the youngster did not let this incident shatter his zeal for photography! Doug still has the same passion and excitement for capturing moments in time, those special in between times, in his over 20 years as a professional photographer. Doug’s photography is focused on documenting the natural world, people interacting with the natural world, and the magic these moments display. It is with optimism, that his images will inspire the viewer to take action.
Doug’s guiding experience is extensive, with close to 23 years leading trips around the American West, Canada, and down through Belize with youth with varied learning styles and diagnosed learning disabilities. Doug is a firm believer that the Natural World is the greatest educator if we take the time to listen and observe.
To view some of Doug’s work and to see what he’s been up to, follow along on Instagram @dmelphotogrande.
Doug’s guiding experience is extensive, with close to 23 years leading trips around the American West, Canada, and down through Belize with youth with varied learning styles and diagnosed learning disabilities. Doug is a firm believer that the Natural World is the greatest educator if we take the time to listen and observe.
To view some of Doug’s work and to see what he’s been up to, follow along on Instagram @dmelphotogrande.
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"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
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Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.