Northern Lights, Gastineau Channel, Alaska – Print #P141 – Image 2601

I love to watch and photograph the northern lights. But, lately the northern lights have become a rare occurrence. Scientists tell us that the northern lights (frequency and intensity) have an eleven year cycle with the bottom of the cycle occurring about three years ago. My observations or lack of aurora observations would confirm this cycle. But on a clear night when I start to get excited about photographing the northern lights, I check the website at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Geophysical Institute for their daily northern lights or aurora forecast. This site helps me determine the likelihood of the northern lights happening and just how much sleep I want to lose. The site can be found at http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/. Nikon F4, Lens: 35-70mm f/2.8 Nikkor, Fuji Velvia slide film-Mark Kelley