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Fairbanks’ world-famous northern lights lure aurora chasers from around the world. Such is the case with University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) physics student Andy Witteman. Andy is so passionate about the aurora that he lives to study, photograph and chase the northern lights. When he discovered UAF’s Geophysical Institute was the foremost research center for auroral studies in North America he knew that Fairbanks, Alaska, was where he wanted to follow his dreams. This Aurora Season we are partnering with Andy to showcase a few of his brilliant real time and time lapse aurora videos for those who choose to armchair travel until the time is right. Andy says, “For anyone with an adventurous spirit, the northern lights can become an obsession bringing you to the edges of the world! Big auroras can happen on nights which are seemingly quiet, and cloudy nights can break up just enough to let the purples and greens rain down from the stars!” View Andy Witteman’s five brand new videos on the Explore Fairbanks website.

Explore Fairbanks has built the Aurora Tracker to assist visiting aurora chasers. The Aurora Tracker correlates three individual streams of data to predict northern lights viewing opportunities for six locations in the Fairbanks region. Data streams include: aurora forecast data from the Geophysical Institute, weather forecast data for specific northern lights viewing locations and the amount of daylight hours. The aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough. Visitors who stay a minimum of three nights and are actively out during the late evening hours increase their chance of seeing the aurora to more than 90 percent.

Spanning all four seasons and nine months of the year Aurora Season, August 21 through April 21, has arrived. Due to the fact that natural phenomena are unscathed by viruses, locals are out chasing the aurora and have developed ways to safely assist visitors in this pursuit. Whether you want to virtually engage in northern lights viewing or you want to plan to see them in person, Explore Fairbanks is at your service. On Explore Fairbanks website you will find a current downloadable PDF list of local accommodations, attractions and tours as well as eating and drinking establishments that are “Open for Business.”

As you make your travel plans to Fairbanks, find up-to-date information about Alaska’s COVID-19 travel restrictions, including testing requirements, pinned to the top of Explore Fairbanks home page. With careful planning and precautions, including mask wearing, social distancing and hand sanitation, we invite you to come “Explore Fairbanks Responsibly” and make your aurora viewing wishes come true.

Find out about the above and more at http://www.explorefairbanks.com. For specific questions, email info@explorefairbanks.com.