Aurora Viewing
Alaska's Northern Lights

Aurora Viewing

World-class northern lights

Wiseman is situated directly underneath the auroral belt, resulting in visible aurora approximately 250 nights out of the year, making it a world-class aurora viewing and photography destination.

The Aurora Borealis

Aurora borealis viewed from the Arctic Getaway in Wiseman, Alaska.

There are several reasons to choose Wiseman as your aurora viewing and photography destination. First of all, it is situated directly underneath the auroral belt, resulting in aurora viewing approximately 250 nights out of the year. Keep in mind that in this time frame, from late August through mid April, the hours of darkness vary greatly, from only very short nights in August/April to very long nights in midwinter. Since Wiseman is so far north, even the slightest presence of the aurora in the night sky is often visible from this location when it might not be in locations further south. And secondly, the dramatic and beautiful scenic mountain landscapes are a magnificent backdrop. This is why photographers enjoy this location so much. Not to mention, you can step out your cabin door and view the northern lights swirl overhead. No need to drive anywhere!

Viewing the Aurora takes luck and patience! You need clear skies, darkness and aurora activity (which varies greatly). Some nights you can see it all night, some nights not at all, some nights for five minutes, some nights it comes and goes. Although great colorful displays are common, often there is ‘only’ a green streak across the sky. Look up and enjoy.

Wiseman is situated directly under the aurora belt, making the location optimal for aurora viewing. Illustration © www.AlaskaPhotoGraphics.com

Aurora over the town of Wiseman.

 

When is the Aurora Visble

If the skies are clear and the conditions favorable, the aurora may be seen from the end of August until early April; the sun-filled summer months of May through August never get dark enough to see the northern lights.

Aurora borealis viewed from the Arctic Getaway in Wiseman, Alaska. Photo by Amy J Johnson

Aurora borealis over the Koyukuk River adjacent to the Arctic Getaway in Wiseman, Alaska. Photo by Amy J Johnson

 

How long to stay

To maximize your experience and increase your chances for Aurora viewing and photography, we recommend staying more than one night.

Aurora Photography

How to Photograph the Northern Lights eBook.

northern lights ebookThis wonderfully illustrated 300-page PDF eBook is a comprehensive and thorough guide that will equip you with the information necessary to capture your own photos of the northern lights. By Patrick J Endres and Neal Brown.

Aurora Forecasts

The University of Alaska has a great website explains the science behind the aurora and provides short term and long term forecast for aurora activity.

 

uaf aurora forecast

Distinctive Aurora Art

Aurora photographer Amy J Johnson offers Alaska aurora inspired gifts

Aurora Photography Tours

Join Alaska photographer, naturalist, and guide, Hugh Rose, on a custom guided photo tour of the Northern Lights

Aurora borealis photo gallery

Aurora Photos copyright Patrick J Endres / AlaskaPhotoGraphics.com

Northern lights over the Brooks Range mountains in Alaska's Arctic.
Colorful aurora borealis over the mountains near Chandalar Shelf, Brooks Range Alaska, hovering over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The aurora borealis lights the nights sky in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
Aurora borealis over mount Sukakpak, Brooks Range, Alaska.
Aurora borealis swirls over the snow covered mountains of the Brooks Range, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic, Alaska.
Aurora borealis over the south fork of the Koyukuk River, James Dalton Highway, Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
Aurora borealis over mount Dillon, Brooks Range, James Dalton Highway, Alaska.
The aurora borealis lights the nights sky in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
The aurora borealis lights the nights sky in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
Violet and green aurora borealis curtains lights the nights sky in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
Aurora corona as seen when standing directly below a bundle of parallel plasma-channeling magnetic field lines that are converging on a point high in the sky. Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
Colorful magenta and green aurora borealis lights the nights sky in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
The aurora borealis reflects on the icy surface of a river in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
The aurora borealis reflects on the icy surface of a frozen pond in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
Aurora borealis over the Koyukuk River basin in the Brooks Range, Alaska
The aurora borealis lights the nights sky in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
The aurora borealis reflects on the icy surface of a frozen pond in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
The aurora borealis lights the nights sky in Alaska's Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska
Woman stands under the northern lights in the Brooks Range, Arctic, Alaska.
Man views the northern lights from a log cabin in Wiseman, Alaska.
Colorful northern lights over spruce trees in Alaska's Arctic.
The aurora borealis over the James Dalton Highway in the Brooks Range of Alaska.
Northern lights and the Alaska oil pipeline, Brooks Range in the distance.
Northern lights reflect in the Wiseman creek in the Brooks Range, Alaska.
Pink northern lights over the Brooks Range mountains and frozen river in Alaska's Arctic.
Aurora borealis viewed from the Arctic Getaway in Wiseman, Alaska.