# Fairbanks and Kodiak Residents Photograph Intense Aurora Displays

Residents across Interior Alaska and Kodiak Island photographed intense aurora borealis displays on April 18 and 19, capturing vibrant greens and curtain-like formations that stretched across the night sky.

The displays appeared during one of the final viewing windows before the midnight sun season begins April 21 in Fairbanks. After that date, continuous daylight will make aurora viewing impossible until late August. Clear skies allowed widespread viewing at locations including Chena Lakes Recreation Area, Tanana Lakes Recreation Area, and Cleary Summit.

Local photographers shared images on social media showing the northern lights dancing overhead from late evening into early morning hours. In Kodiak, photographer Kris Luck posted images of the displays over the island on April 18. Fairbanks residents reported elevated activity with dynamic movements visible throughout both nights.

The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks confirmed active auroral conditions overhead from Utqiaġvik to Anchorage during the event period. The institute's aurora forecast indicated elevated Kp index levels, which measure geomagnetic activity that produces auroral substorms.

Real-time data from the Explore Fairbanks aurora tracker showed elevated readings for Fairbanks locations during April 18 and 19. Live imagery from the UAF all-sky webcam confirmed auroral substorms south of Fairbanks during the event.

Aurora displays occur on four out of five clear nights in Fairbanks during the viewing season, which runs from August 21 through April 21. Visitors staying three nights have a 90 percent chance of seeing the northern lights under clear conditions, according to aurora viewing expert Kory.

The timing of these displays coincides with the end of the aurora season in Fairbanks. After April 21, the sun will not set below the horizon until late August, making the night sky too bright for aurora viewing. Some brief twilight sightings may still occur during the shoulder season immediately following the cutoff date.

Full moon conditions can wash out dimmer features of aurora displays or alter color perception during viewing. The intensity of the April 18 and 19 displays allowed clear viewing despite any lunar interference.

The Geophysical Institute maintains aurora forecasts and monitoring equipment across Alaska. The institute's all-sky webcam provides real-time imagery of auroral activity for researchers and the public.

Fairbanks sits beneath the auroral oval, a ring-shaped zone around the magnetic north pole where aurora activity concentrates. This geographic position makes the city one of the best locations in the world for viewing the northern lights during the dark season.

Residents and visitors can check current aurora forecasts through the Geophysical Institute website and the Explore Fairbanks real-time tracker. Clear skies and elevated geomagnetic activity both contribute to optimal viewing conditions.

The displays generated enthusiasm on social media as photographers and aurora watchers shared their observations and images from across the state. No specific impacts to infrastructure or daily activities were reported during the event.