
Bring a tripod or monopod if you want to take pictures of the event, and pack a few extra batteries, because cold weather can drain them quickly. Your best chance to see the lights is in the middle of the night, and you may wait for hours before catching a glimpse of the display. Dress warmly and choose clothing you can wear in layers. Now that you know when and where to go to see the northern lights, you can start preparing to enjoy the incredible experience. The Perfect Plan for Seeing the Northern Lights

This makes April through September the best time to cruise to Alaska to see the northern lights, especially near the autumnal and vernal equinoxes, when activity peaks. These charged particles are present throughout the year, but they tend to be easiest to see in the winter months, when there’s enough darkness at night. This is where the earth’s magnetic pole is consistently weak enough for the sun’s charged particles to enter the atmosphere. Although the light show has been visible as far south as Hawaii, getting closer to the Arctic Circle gives you the best odds of catching it. If you want to see the northern lights, you have to be in the right place at the right time. The exact color depends on the type of gas the charged particles collide with in the atmosphere. This natural phenomenon takes place when charged particles from the sun enter the atmosphere and show up as shades of green, red, violet and white dancing in the night sky. The northern lights, whose scientific name is aurora borealis, are a colorful light show that fills the sky with swirls and shades of color.

It is also the best spot in the United States to see the northern lights, a show you don’t want to miss on your next Alaska cruise. It’s a remote and wild place that will wow you with panoramic views of the landscape and glimpses of the people and animals who call the 49th state home. From Mendenhall Glacier to Denali National Park, Alaska is a land of natural wonders.
