Photographs taken with long exposures are also better at detecting faint colors in the aurora. When the aurora is extremely faint, it may appear mostly white to you. Our eyes are not sensitive to colors at very low levels of light—that’s why we see mostly in black and white at night. At moderate levels of activity, you’ll likely be able to detect the green color of the aurora. Seeing other colors like reds and purples is extremely rare—consider yourself very lucky if you get to witness this!
Finally, be aware that time lapses and videos can exaggerate the movement of the aurora. On nights of very high activity, it’s possible to see the aurora shimmering and flickering rapidly. More commonly, it appears as a more stationary band of light that could take several minutes to slowly move in a wave across the sky.
Denali is a great location for viewing the aurora because we are located at a far northern latitude and because there is very limited light pollution. Light pollution is found in towns, cities, and other developed areas where excessive artificial light brightens the natural environment.
Dark night skies are valued by people who enjoy stargazing and aurora-viewing as well as by astronomers studying our universe through telescopes. But because of widespread light pollution, approximately 80% of Americans live in areas so light-polluted that they cannot see the Milky Way from their homes. The ability to identify constellations, to pass down stories about the night sky, and to develop an appreciation for observing planets, galaxies, and other wonders of the night sky are all at risk when people do not grow up with these experiences.
Light pollution is a quickly-reversible form of pollution, so you can make a difference and help keep night skies dark for people and animals alike. Limited and thoughtful outdoor lighting is both environmentally friendly and energy efficient, as light is not wasted shining into the sky or into other areas where it is not needed. Choose night-sky-friendly lighting for your home and encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Why Dark Skies Matter
Although the night sky is appreciated by many, it is physically intangible and has taken longer to be recognized as a natural resource that requires protection. Today, the National Park Service studies the night sky and has scientists who work to protect it. Dark skies provide people with an opportunity to connect with our past and with our culture as we identify constellations and pass stories down through generations. They can humble us as we contemplate the size of our solar system, our galaxy, and the universe. They are also a critical component of natural ecosystems and are relied upon by wildlife to survive in the naturally dark environments they are adapted to.
If you enjoy stargazing, you might already be familiar with some of the most well-known Greek constellations such as Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Orion, and Cassiopeia. But Alaska Native people have paid attention to the stars for thousands of years and have their own constellations and associated star stories. Prepare for a visit to Denali by reading about traditional Athabaskan star knowledge and challenge yourself to learn a new constellation, like the Ahtna constellation of Nek’eltaeni or the Gwich’in constellation of Yahdii.
Denali is a great location for viewing the aurora because we are located at a far northern latitude and because there is very limited light pollution. Light pollution is found in towns, cities, and other developed areas where excessive artificial light brightens the natural environment.
Private Inholdings. There are a number of private inholdings in Denali State Park. The use and development of private lands inside the park boundary has the potential for creating a range of problems including environmental impacts, recreational conflicts, degradation of the view shed and wildlife displacement.
A must do NP, but rugged. Denali NP is worth 2+ days of your time. Great hikes, close to the visitor center varying from easy to hard (e.g. Mt Healy Overlook Trail). Or take the "cheap" bus ($33 pp) to Eastfork point (mile marker 43); the bus stops when they see wildlife and our driver did some great narration.
$15.00. Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. For people age 16 or older, the $15 entrance fee provides a 7-day entrance permit.
Alaska's northern lights viewing season stretches from late August through late April. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark.
Anchorage is an easy place to rent a car, and most of the national brands are represented. The drive to Denali Park is about 240 miles and takes just under five hours if you drive straight through, though that won't be likely.
There is only one road in Denali. Private vehicles can drive a small part of it, but most of the road is open only to bus traffic. Bus trips are available only in summer (mid-May through mid-September). All bus trips are operated by a private company with a contract to do so—not by the National Park Service.
Located far from any airport or large city, Denali is a wilderness park. Reaching the park can take several hours (or even most of a day), so we recommend that you plan a minimum itinerary of 2 nights in the area, which gives you one full day and part of two others.
The train takes 8 hours from Anchorage to Denali, and 4 hours from Fairbanks. It's recommended you spend two nights in the park, leaving you one full day to explore. The Whole Line. Spend several days, stopping in Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks.
This scenic river has some small cascading falls which can be found just beyond the footbridge, 1 mile down the trail. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
In Interior Alaska, head to Fairbanks for some of the best northern lights viewing in the state, including the widest variety of tours and specialty accommodations. The Southcentral region has several excellent basecamps for northern lights viewing, including Anchorage, Talkeetna, and the Mat-Su Valley.
You won't see Denali from the park entrance, like you did farther south. To view the mountain while in Denali National Park, you'll take a bus down the Park Road. Your first view of the mountain is at Mile 9.
Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, is a popular spot to see the Northern Lights and a great base for exploring the area's natural wonders. From here, you can take trips out to nearby mountain ranges - or better yet, set up camp far from the city lights and cities for optimal viewing conditions.
Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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