Chapter 1: Witnessing the Aurora Borealis

Recently, we were fortunate enough to witness the Aurora Borealis in Wisconsin, right over the lake where we reside.

On a Friday night, the Northern Lights graced the skies of Northern Wisconsin. The phenomenon, commonly referred to as the Aurora Borealis, appears to be more visible these days compared to decades past. While this might not be entirely accurate, the internet certainly plays a role in making such natural events more accessible and noticeable to the public.

When I was in my twenties, I vividly remember seeing the auroras over Lake Ontario on a warm summer evening. The shimmering green light danced gracefully above the calm waters, providing a spectacular view thanks to the unobstructed horizon.

For my husband, however, this was his first encounter with the lights until just a few days ago. With a promising forecast of clear skies and a strong aurora expected to extend further south than usual, we decided to venture out to our dock after the 10 p.m. news to catch the spectacle.

Living in the serene Northwoods of Wisconsin gives us an advantage; light pollution is minimal here. The only sources of light come from our own home and garage, along with our neighbors who are a good distance away through the trees. During summer nights, we often gaze up to see the Milky Way shining brightly.

Upon arriving at the dock, we found the sky shrouded in darkness with faint gray streaks. Initially, the aurora was not visible to the naked eye. However, I had learned that a camera can reveal colors that our eyes might miss in low light conditions.

Equipped with my iPhone 12 mini, I was eager to see if it could capture any hidden colors. To my delight, it did! The photos I’m sharing showcase the Northern Lights as captured by my camera, which automatically switched to night mode, allowing for a 3-second exposure.

While I was excitedly taking pictures, my husband remained less impressed. Though he was with me on the dock, his android phone failed to pick up any colors, leaving him only able to see the dull gray streaks. It's worth noting that he is red-green colorblind, which added to his inability to appreciate the vibrant hues in my photos.

Despite our inability to detect the aurora's movement, my excitement remained high. I relied on spaceweatherlive.com for updates about the auroras, understanding that a clear night and minimal light pollution are crucial for optimal viewing.

We spent about twenty minutes outside in the chilly 40-degree weather, grateful for our warm coats, hats, and gloves. We eagerly anticipate more opportunities to witness the Northern Lights this summer, though we understand that conditions must be just right.

In the meantime, we’ll continue to enjoy stargazing at the Milky Way, constellations, and the occasional sighting of Starlink satellites.

Chapter 2: Capturing the Magic of the Aurora

The following video showcases our experience and insights while observing the Northern Lights.

This video titled "Upstairs Home Tour, We Got to See The Northern Lights & Garden Updates!" takes you through our journey of witnessing this breathtaking natural wonder.