Isle Royale Forums

When is the best time to see the northern light if they are active?

eric

Night. When it's dark.

Since they are a solar phenomena, we're at the mercy of the sun to provide them for us. Right now solar activity has been quite low (we're at the bottom of the sunspot cycle) but we've had a occasional few. In four to six years we should be seeing them much more often.
First step, of course, is get yourself to a dark place void of light pollution, and Isle Royale is great.
Unfortunately, it isn't like whale watching or even something predictable like an eclipse. The best science can do is predict a 'greater likelihood.'
It's certainly not something I'd recommend "staying up for" since that can be an exercise in futility. I've found the best luck in just looking out the tent every time I find myself awake, and low and behold, sometimes you're rewarded. If you've never had the opportunity to witness them, by all means let your fellow travellers know to wake you if they wake and see them. They don't always last long, but are worth the show!

http://www.pfrr.alaska.edu/aurora/index.html

has info, along with a forecast.

I saw a great display with John, Tricia & Jerry from the Voyageur dock area in 2005. Mesmerizing.

I saw some pictures and was taken away. My ultimate goal would be photograph the rare sighting of the northern lights.

I've seen the Northern Lights several times. I live in southeast Michigan and have seen them a couple times while at work (I used to work nights) and I have seen them twice while on hiking trips. Once was while we were hiking at Pictured Rocks and the other time was on the way back from Isle Royale when we stopped for a nap near Grand Island in Munising. I actually have managed to get a few photos of them. They are amazing to watch, and it's even better when you are able to capture a couple good photos.

Here's a couple links to the photos I took:
http://briansplace.ynt1.com/backpack/20 ... 00pr_3.php
http://briansplace.ynt1.com/backpack/20 ... 03ir_5.php

It seems most of the time we have seen them has been in August/September.