The northern lights look like cosmic magic, but the science behind the northern lights is actually a tidy piece of physics. Auroras are natural phenomena, which means they can’t be guaranteed on any given night. But experienced guides dramatically improve the odds.
When it comes to viewing the northern lights from Anchorage, nobody does it better than the Greatland Adventures team. Our deep knowledge of the aurora’s unique characteristics, combined with an all-local guide roster, means that your Alaska northern lights tour will be full of sky viewing time and interesting information.
You may have heard the aurora talked about in terms of a ‘phenomenon’, and we agree that there’s nothing more amazing than the appearance of swirling, dancing lights in the sky. The science behind the northern lights is simple. Caused by solar wind, charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere, then are funneled toward the North and South Poles, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen. This collision causes the lights to vary from green to yellow and even purple, depending on the strength of the solar wind.
The aurora borealis is visible in many different shapes and colors. Some nights, we may only see a dim green glow that may look white to the naked eye. Other nights bring arcs, bands, rays, and sheets of color to the sky. Sometimes the aurora will be strong and bright enough for us to see with our eyes; other nights, it may only be possible to view through a camera lens.
The best places to view the northern lights in Alaska are locations where light pollution is at a minimum, and between the months of August and April. Greatland Adventures operates aurora tours with dark skies in mind, and from two main locations: Anchorage and Fairbanks. Taking a tour from Anchorage? Our guides know all the locations to not just witness the northern lights, but be part of their magic. Sometimes, weather conditions prevent optimal viewing in one location, but thanks to our fleet of comfortable vans, Greatland’s aurora tours can go mobile, traveling to a location with better chances of viewing the lights.
Like favorite berry-picking spots, people who chase northern lights often like to keep preferred vantage points a secret to ensure an uncrowded experience. Greatland Adventures guide teams have been in the business a long time, and are dialed in to some amazing spots to witness the dancing light displays. We even have our own property in Fairbanks, where the views are unobstructed and warm, dry indoor spaces, hot drinks, and snacks make for comfortable tour conditions.
Aurora strength can surprisingly increase or decrease within a few minutes’ notice at any time during the night. The northern lights are an amazing natural phenomenon that results from conditions aligning perfectly to make them visible. Despite what you may have read, the northern lights can be precisely predicted only about 60-90 minutes in advance. This is due to the time it takes for the NOAA DSCOVR, ACE, and SOHO satellites to communicate their observed data to us here on Earth. Any prediction beyond that short timeframe is only an educated guess.
Many companies like to talk about the Kp-Index in relation to aurora borealis predictions. The Kp-Index can best be understood as the aurora’s potential maximum angle in the sky. Based on our extensive field experience, this index is not an indicator of potential aurora strength or activity. We have found that the most reliable statistics are the solar wind speed and the interplanetary magnetic field (Bz). The Kp-Index only quantifies disturbances in the horizontal component of Earth’s magnetic field.
The northern lights are an amazing natural phenomenon that is a result of conditions aligning perfectly to make them visible. Our aurora team’s mission is to do everything possible to take you to the most strategic location around the greater Anchorage and Fairbanks landscapes to see and photograph the aurora. However, ultimately, our success is up to Mother Nature. If we cannot produce photographic evidence of the aurora on your tour, you’ll get a complimentary “redo” tour at any time in the future, subject to availability.
Northern lights displays may last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, or for multiple hours, and no single factor can predict whether the aurora will make an appearance. There are many elements of a successful night of northern lights viewing, with several factors at play, including weather, location, and knowing the unique arrays of aurora colors and styles. Some nights, the aurora appears as a dim green glow in the northeastern sky. Others, the entire overhead view is full of sweeping colors, and the lights appear to pulsate with the rhythms of the Earth. But know that whatever view you get, it’s a wonder of the universe, and to see them is a gift indeed.
Greatland Adventures is always planning for the next aurora season, and we’d love to welcome you aboard one of these unforgettable experiences. Learn more about all the tours we offer, what to expect, and why traveling with the Greatland team can make all the difference between a good northern lights tour and an exceptional one.
Private Anchorage Sightseeing Tour
Get a perfect introduction to the greater Anchorage area on this 3-hour tour. Stops include Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Beluga Point, Potter's Marsh, and Flattop Mountain.
Turnagain Arm Glacier & Wildlife Tour
Travel the scenic Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm to Portage Valley. Take a scenic tram to the top of a mountain, cruise an iceberg dotted lake to view a glacier, and view Alaska's iconic animals up close. The choice is yours!
Explore the amazing blue glacier ice of Matanuska Glacier. We generally spend two hours and walk three miles on the ice. Includes round-trip transportation from Anchorage.
