1. How did the supercharged Valentine’s Day auroras result in an experience that the Alaska-based polar lights chaser will never forget?
Spectacular Valentine’s Day Northern Lights Dazzle Alaska
It’s Valentine’s Day and an Alaska-based photographer was treated to a spectacular show of Northern Lights. The sky put on a mesmerizing display of electric-green ribbons radiating out from the dark, night sky.
Polar Lights Chaser Gets his Wish
Mouths dropped in awe and cameras clicked away as the intense display of light illuminated the winter sky. These startlingly beautiful lights are called Aurora Borealis or “polar lights”. For polar lights chaser Jeff Berkofsky, the night was even more extraordinary and he got his wish of a supercharged show of light.
What Causes Northern Lights?
Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the thermosphere. The collisions cause the electrons in the atoms to move to a higher energy level. When they return to their original state, they emit light. The colour of the light depends on the type of particle and gaseous matter.
A Valentine’s Day Gift
Valentine’s Day not only marks the day of love, but also a day where nature handed out a gift. A gift in the form of the most beautiful light show the night sky has to offer. It was a romantic Valentine’s night and Nature provided the perfect backdrop.
Tips For Experiencing Polar Lights
If you’re looking to experience the spectacular polar lights yourself, here are a few tips:
- Seek out Dark Sky – Look for areas away from light pollution, such as outside of large cities.
- Timing – The best time to view the lights is during peak periods of solar activity.
- Have Patience – Sometimes it takes hours for the lights to become visible.
- Have the Right Tools – Bring a camera with a wide-angle setting and a tripod for optimal viewing.
The Result
The result of all this is an incredible viewing experience of one of nature’s most phenomenal phenomena. Photographers, such as Jeff Berkofsky, get to enjoy and capture the beauty of one of nature’s greatest gifts.
It was certainly a Valentine’s night that Jeff won’t be forgetting anytime soon, or any of the other viewers fortunate enough to have witnessed the spectacle that took place that night.
It was the night of February 14th and Jared Benson, a seasoned Alaskan aurora chaser, set out determined to capture the remarkable beauty of the Aurora Borealis after seeing reports of unusually strong sunspot activity.
Little did he know that he was in for one of the greatest shows of his life. After taking his position outside he was soon awestruck by the jagged edges of a bright green curtain engulfing the sky and radiating with vibrant shades of pink and purple.
The spectacle was so impressive that Benson described it as a “Supercharged Valentine’s Day Aurora”, a perfectly apt title for the unforgettable swirls and veils of light that moved and morph into a trillion unique reflections of Mother Nature’s beauty.
The Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as polar lights, is a phenomenon reserved for countries located in the far north. Generally, the spectacle is best observed from mid- to late-February, when the area experiences clear, cold nights and the sky is dark enough for it to be seen in its full glory.
Benson is a keen aurora photographer who has captured the lights in many cities across Alaska throughout the years, but like all aurora chasers, this time was extra special; thanks to the supercharged sunspot activity, he was able to witness a rare show of power and beauty visible to even the most novice of viewers.
It’s moments like these that remind us of the enormous power of the night sky. The hearts and minds of Alaskans and aurora chasers alike were filled with warmth, wonder and awe. If you ever get a chance to glimpse the incredible power of the Aurora Borealis, make sure you don’t miss it! Until then, have a look at some of Benson’s supercharged Valentine’s Day Aurora photos, which are sure to steal your breath away.
