The northern lights have long been a source of wonder for human beings. Vikings believed that the green fire in the night sky was caused by light reflecting off the armour of Valkyries as they carried brave warriors to Valhalla. In the land we now call Canada, the Algonquin people interpreted the lights as a reassuring message from the Creator, Nanabozho, lighting a vast fire far to the north.
Scientists would tell you that the Aurora Borealis is, in fact, caused by collisions between gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere and charged particles released from the Sun, but that would be taking the magic out of one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
Every year, people travel across the globe for a chance to see the northern lights. The best places to observe them are under dark skies free of light pollution. You’re in luck: Grande Prairie has plenty of that. Today, we’re going to explore how to maximize your chances of witnessing a phenomenon many consider prime bucket-list material, as well as share some of the best snaps of the lights in our region from our Instagram community. Let’s jump in!
Best Time of Year
It’s true that you have a chance of seeing the northern lights all year round. But as they are best seen at night, it makes sense that the longer the darkness lasts, the greater your chances of seeing the blue, green, and purple hues in their brightest form. Nights in our region are the longest from September to April.
Some other factors come into play as well. Remember all those gaseous particles? The Earth’s geomagnetic activity plays a big role in determining whether the lights will occur. Geomagnetic activity is typically strongest around the equinoxes, which fall in September and October and in March and April.
All that said, for the best chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis, plan a trip to Grande Prairie anytime in the late fall, winter, or early spring.
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Predicting the Lights
Because the northern lights depend on many factors involving both the Earth and the Sun aligning, accurately predicting when they will appear is difficult beyond a few hours before they occur.
But there are still a few steps you can take to tip the odds in your favour. First of all, check the weather regularly. You won’t see the lights if it’s cloudy. Secondly, AuroraWatch offers real-time monitoring of geomagnetic conditions across Alberta. It helpfully translates all the science into an easy-to-read percentage indicating the chance of the northern lights occurring, too!
Where to Go
Even in larger cities like Calgary or Edmonton, the northern lights can be seen when the conditions are right. But heading away from sources of artificial light, such as city buildings, can significantly improve your chances of seeing the lights in all their bright colours.
And because the phenomenon occurs near the magnetic poles, some of the best places to watch the lights in North America are in the northwestern parts of Canada. Given that Grande Prairie is far enough north to be considered within Canada’s circumpolar north zone, our region is among the best places in North America to see this natural light show!
The Grande Prairie area and the wider Peace Region offer a host of great spots for stargazing and nighttime photography. Here are a handful of spots conveniently located within a short drive of downtown Grande Prairie:
Kleskun Hill, about 20 minutes east
Saskatoon Mountain, about 30 minutes west
Nitehawk Adventure Park, about 20 minutes south
Dunvegan Bridge, about 1 hour north
A shot of the iconic Centre 2000 sundial underneath the northern lights would be truly magical, and you wouldn’t even have to leave the city to capture it!
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Other Great Alberta Destinations to Consider
The northern lights are a treasure throughout Alberta. Here are some other places further afield in the province where you can marvel at the sky:
- Wood Buffalo National Park – Wood Buffalo National Park is the largest national park in Canada and offers truly untamed wilderness. Night skies don’t get much bigger than those here. Stay in nearby Fort McMurray.
- Willmore Wilderness Park – Close to the border with B.C., Willmore Wilderness Park provides panoramic views of deep forests and majestic glacial peaks. The town of Grande Cache offers easy access.
- Jasper National Park – Long famed for astronomy and stunning photography, Jasper offers a variety of factors that make its nocturnal skyscape particularly vivid. Officially designated as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2011, it is the only preserve in the world with a town within its boundaries.
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Tips for Capturing the Perfect Northern Lights Picture
Thanks to one of Grande Prairie’s top photographers, Darrel Comeau, we’re pleased to share some expert advice to help you capture the best possible photos of the northern lights.
It’s All About the Camera
For those of you with high-end cameras, such as a DSLR, the settings are easy to adjust for the perfect shot.
Use a 1-second shutter speed, an aperture of f/1.4, and an ISO of 800, then fine-tune the settings from there.
If your camera doesn’t have these capabilities, set the aperture to its lowest f-number, increase the ISO, and adjust the shutter speed.
Zoom in on one star and adjust the focus until the star is sharp. This will give you what is called “infinity focus” and help you capture sharp images of the aurora.
NO CAMERA? NO PROBLEM! SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
While dedicated cameras may produce better photos, a few simple tips and tricks can help you take great shots with your phone.
Become familiar with your phone’s manual or Pro mode, which allows you to adjust settings manually. If your phone allows it, use the lowest available f-number and a higher ISO to help capture images in low light.
Shutter speed can vary. Keep the shutter open longer for a brighter image, as more of the aurora’s light will be captured. This can give photos a softer, more “airy” look. A faster shutter speed will capture less movement, giving the lights a sharper, crisper appearance.
When in doubt, try Night mode. While the image may not be as strong, it’s a great place to start.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TIPS
Use a tripod. Nighttime photography can be tricky, and regardless of your camera, you’ll need to keep it as steady as possible.
Consider investing in a remote shutter release so you can take a shot without touching the camera. Alternatively, set the timer to two seconds to give the camera time to stop shaking before the shutter opens.
Like many professional photographers, Darrel doesn’t stop after taking the photo. Editing can give images a little extra shine. Adjust the contrast, clarity, and vibrance to make your photos pop. Darrel uses Adobe Lightroom. As with everything, practice makes perfect!
Final Pointers
Whether you’re passing through our region on business or planning a getaway specifically to hunt for the northern lights, Grande Prairie offers a variety of comfortable accommodation options. The Four Points by Sheraton and the Sandman Hotel are both conveniently located in the city and offer a range of facilities to make your stay more relaxing.
If you’re looking for other great winter activities, from skiing to ice fishing to dog sledding, to keep you busy while visiting our region, be sure to check out our Winter Activities Roundup blog.
Don’t forget! If you’re heading out in winter, remember that temperatures in the Peace Country can often drop as low as -40°C (-40°F) at night. Dress appropriately, and make sure your vehicle has plenty of gas and an emergency survival kit, just in case.
We wish you the best of luck! If you’re fortunate enough to catch the heavens dancing, share your photos with us on Facebook or Instagram by tagging us or using the hashtag #UnforgettableNWAB. We’d love to see your photos!
