Big year for northern lights tourism in Alaska
Associated Press
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Updated 9:07 am, Thursday, February 21, 2013
The northern lights can be seen on dark, clear nights when charged solar particles strike the upper atmosphere near the North Pole. Because of a predicted peak in a solar cycle, this year and next year are expected to offer prime viewing for the elusive phenomenon. [...] Alaska's tourism industry is gearing up for thousands of visitors like Carter — including jet loads from Japan — who are willing to wait outside in freezing weather, often for hours past midnight, in hopes of catching a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of the lights. Because of the solar max, this was the year to do it. If you compound that with the fact that aurora activity tends to become more common around autumnal and vernal equinoxes, the start of spring in March could be quite hectic for Fairbanks. "Because of the buzz of the aurora blasts we definitely think it's gotten more attention from the media," said Deb Hickok, the president and CEO of the Fairbanks Visitor Bureau and Convention Center. Reported by SeattlePI.com 10 hours ago.
Associated Press
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Updated 9:07 am, Thursday, February 21, 2013
The northern lights can be seen on dark, clear nights when charged solar particles strike the upper atmosphere near the North Pole. Because of a predicted peak in a solar cycle, this year and next year are expected to offer prime viewing for the elusive phenomenon. [...] Alaska's tourism industry is gearing up for thousands of visitors like Carter — including jet loads from Japan — who are willing to wait outside in freezing weather, often for hours past midnight, in hopes of catching a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of the lights. Because of the solar max, this was the year to do it. If you compound that with the fact that aurora activity tends to become more common around autumnal and vernal equinoxes, the start of spring in March could be quite hectic for Fairbanks. "Because of the buzz of the aurora blasts we definitely think it's gotten more attention from the media," said Deb Hickok, the president and CEO of the Fairbanks Visitor Bureau and Convention Center. Reported by SeattlePI.com 10 hours ago.