RESOURCES FOR AURORA VIEWING IN THE ROCKIES
By Juliette Recompsat
In Volume 4 of the Canadian Rockies Annual, our Rocky Mountain Round-Up features the best local spots to catch the northern lights. Check out these resources suggested by Paul to help aspiring astro-photographers make the most of their time under the stars.
Northern lights at Castle Mountain. Photo by Paul Zizka.
“There’s nothing like watching the aurora,” says Paul Zizka. “For me, it’s the biggest, most extravagant show Mother Nature puts on. It can be mesmerizing and will stop anyone in their tracks. It’s something you never forget.”
And if anyone would know, it’s the Rockies’ foremost astro-photographer. Paul has spent countless nights waiting for the northern lights to appear above the horizon, but he says that no matter how many times he sees the aurora it’s always captivating. The author of the award-winning book The Canadian Rockies: Rediscovered shared with us this list of helpful resources for aurora viewing in the mountains.
AURORA WATCHING RESOURCES
GROUP: REAL-TIME INFO
Alberta Aurora Chasers (Facebook)
E-BOOK: BEST LOCATIONS
Paul Zizka’s Guide to Photography in the Canadian Rockies – Banff to Lake Louise Edition
WEBSITE: CLOUD COVER
SpotWx
ClearDarkSky
DarkSky.net
WEBSITE: WEATHER
SpaceWeather
WEBSITE: REPORTS
AuroraSaurus
Aurora Status
WEBSITE: GEO-MAGNETIC ACTIVITY
SolarHam
WEBSITE: FORECAST
University of Alaska Geophysical Institute
WEBSITE: LIGHT POLLUTION
Light Pollution Map
WEBCAM: REAL-TIME INFO
Banff Gondola webcam
Sunshine Village webcams
Raised in the Rockies, Juliette Recompsat travelled to every continent before her roots drew her back to the mountains. Home is where the peaks are!