Written by Dave Gillen

There is probably no other natural event more moving than the Aurora Borealis. The light show that nature provides is an ingredient mix containing the earth's magnetic field (magnetosphere) and sunspots created by coronal mass ejections (strong solar winds) from the sun 93 million miles away.

Our planet's magnetic field usually does a good job protecting us from solar wind storms. Earth's magnetic lines of force deflect charged particles from the Sun so that they don't hit our atmosphere head on. That's a good thing for us because without the magnetic field the solar wind would quickly blow the atmosphere away.

Fortunately for aurora lovers, the magnetosphere (the area of space controlled by Earth's magnetic field) is not invincible. If the solar wind is strong enough some plasma (ionized gas) can get through and react with the atmosphere at the polar regions. These events can trigger beautiful aurorae that are most often visible at high latitudes. But at times of intense solar activity, they can be viewed at lower latatudes. Sometimes as far south as Florida.

For those that live below the equator, there is the Aurora Austrialis or Southern Lights which produce the same dazzling lights as the Aurora Borealis.

Because of the unpredictable nature of sun spots it is highly possible to view an aurora while on a canoe, kayak or camping trip in the north. To help increase your chances of seeing them please consider the following aurora viewing tips ......

• Camp on the south side of any lake you plan to stay on over-night. Remember that these light shows are from the north and you don't want to have any trees in the way!

• The best viewing time is between 12am and 4am your time! That might mean a late night or an early rise but the show may be well worth it!

• If you plan on photos, take a tripod to steady your camera and a shutter cable to use on the "bulb" setting. Take as many time lapse pictures as you can with different shutter times from 1 to 30 seconds in one second increments or less if possible. Use a higher speed film such as 400-ASA or 800-ASA. Films above 400-ASA will start to cause graininess but they are more sensitive to light. Also, remember to open your aperture to let the most light in! An f-stop at 2.8 or less.

  You may get one to ten really good shots out of 3 or 4 rolls of film but the final product will be well worth the money spent. Getting a picture of an aurora is a rare event!

• Plan your trip on the dates of the New Moon if possible. This will reduce the amount of ambient sky light and increase your chances of seeing the aurora!
  

Stay informed of the latest info by visiting the space experts at N.A.S.A. ( National Aeronautics and Space Administration )
• Space Science News
• Space Weather News

View some spectacular photos of the Northern Lights!
• Home of the Northern Lights

Separate the fact from fiction about astronomy and get the straight goods!
• Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy Page