Beautiful Aurora!
The night after I posted my last entry with the aurora photos taken from Nordale Rd, the lights came out again. This time, because it was later in the evening, I stayed home and photographed them from my driveway and the road.
They started out much like the night before, with a low arc across the sky. But then, as the minutes went by, they went higher in the sky and widened. Soon, there were several bands of green directly overhead, dancing in the sky and brightening the night. The orange glow you see in the photos is reflected city lights from Fairbanks and Fort Wainwright. They weren’t as bright as they look in the photos, but with long exposures, they appear so.
Standing in my front yard:
I thought it would be neat to include the flag in this photo taken from our front porch:
Looking down our driveway:
Do you see the Big Dipper laying on its side? (The handle is in the aurora band)
Undulating bands of green:
This is our neighbor’s house. The light over his garage door “blew out” this photo because it was a 10-second exposure:
I caught a shooting star in this photo. It wasn’t a satellite, as it zipped through the sky very quickly:
I hope we see some more aurora activity this week. I’ve been keeping my eyes on the sky.
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This weekend is the Annamaet Gold Run sled dog races at Chena Lakes Rec Area. The races will be held on both Saturday and Sunday, and will feature 2 Dog Skijor, 4 Dog, 6 Dog, & 10 Dog races. The races start at 11am. I plan to go on one of the days; not sure which one yet. I hope we have sunny skies, so it’s easier to photograph the teams.
Until next time…
Just a reminder…..this Saturday should be good for the aurora watchers. Very enjoyable photos….thanks.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Thank you for the reminder. I hope we have clear skies!
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Comment by Jim Stark — February 17, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
Beautiful pictures. I hope the next time I visit, I can get a Aurora show.
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susanstevenson Reply:
February 18th, 2010 at 7:04 am
If you want to see the aurora, you’d have to come when it’s cold and dark.
The next time you come, we want you to come when it’s summer time so you can see Alaska’s beauty when it’s GREEN! 
[Reply]
Kayla Melton Reply:
February 19th, 2010 at 3:45 am
yeah that’s true. Well maybe one day in the future. I will get to see it.
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Comment by Kayla Melton — February 18, 2010 @ 3:50 am
Susan All I can say is SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL Probably
the best I’ve seen Again My favorite
Please Take Care Our Very Best To you Both
Also Our Love To You Both John and Shirley
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susanstevenson Reply:
February 18th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Thank you John and Shirley. I’m glad you enjoyed them. They are supposed to be active again on Saturday evening. I might go for a drive if they are.
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Comment by John and Shirley Strauser — February 18, 2010 @ 8:09 am
As always, beautiful photography Susan! Love the purple colors along with the stars and the green aurora! Looks like it was a great light show! Thanks for sharing those!
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susanstevenson Reply:
February 18th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I hope they’re out on Saturday as predicted! I want to go somewhere high - maybe Murphy Dome!
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Comment by Heidi (Las Vegas, NV.) — February 18, 2010 @ 8:31 am
All I can say is WOW. What beautiful pictures.
Linda
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susanstevenson Reply:
February 18th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Thank you Linda! I hope all is well with you. When are you coming back to AK?
[Reply]
Comment by Linda Kauffman — February 18, 2010 @ 9:09 pm