Our Namesake, the Northern Lights

The Aurora Borealis is Latin for northern lights are a spectacular natural phenomenon that occurs regularly in Northeastern Minnesota. The Aurora Borealis appears in different colors and shapes - rays, glows, curtains and pulsating patches that cover the night sky.

While it is impossible to accurately predict their appearance, the best chance to see them is in the spring and fall. However, we have seen them in the heart of winter and during the height of summer. The best viewing usually occurs on a clear, dark night and may follow temperature fluctuations and are the result of charged particles ejected by the sun's contact with the earth's atmosphere. During the summer the lights are rarely spotted before midnight, but in the winter, we have seen them as early as 8pm.

Here are some of our favorite internet sources for information on the aurora borealis:

Space Weather Now

Aurora Borealis in Minnesota

Solar Terrestrial Dispatch