Chasing the Aurora in Northern Michigan
Seeing the Northern Lights: The Bucket List Experience
When aurora alerts go off and news reports a chance to see the northern lights, people flock north, hoping for clear, dark skies and a breathtaking display of dancing colors.
But if you’re chasing the aurora for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions. After years of answering the same ones, I’ve finally put together this (long) guide to help you plan, prepare, and maybe even check this bucket list experience off your list.
Grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let's dive in.
Quick Navigation
What is the Aurora Borealis?
Knowing When to Go
Apps & Groups for Aurora Alerts
How to Read the Data
Why the Equinoxes are Best
Location Scouting
Dark Sky Parks & Preserves in Michigan
Why People Gather at the Water
Expectations vs. Reality
What to Bring With You
What is the Aurora Borealis?
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a natural phenomenon caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth's magnetic field. When these particles interact with gases in the atmosphere, they release energy in the form of colorful lights.
Aurora Colors & What Causes Them
Green & Red – Created by oxygen at different altitudes
Blue & Purple – Caused by nitrogen
Intensity & Color Variations – Affected by the altitude of the collisions and solar activity
For a deeper dive into the science behind the aurora, check out these resources:
Knowing When to Go
Even after a decade of chasing the aurora, I still miss out sometimes. It’s unpredictable, but here are key factors that increase your chances:
1. Clear Skies (The #1 Rule!)
Even if the aurora forecast is off the charts, thick cloud cover will block your view. Always check weather conditions first.
2. Key Aurora Data Points to Watch
kP Index (0-9) – Measures geomagnetic activity over three-hour periods. Higher k-index means stronger auroras visible farther south, but if you wait for it to hit 5+, you might’ve missed your chance.
bZ Index – Indicates the interplanetary magnetic field direction:
Southward bZ (-): Increases the chance of visible auroras.
Northward bZ (+): Prevents auroras from entering our atmosphere.
Solar Wind Speed – Faster speeds mean a more compressed atmosphere, leading to stronger auroras.
Solar Wind Density – Higher density = more particles for interaction.
Aurora Oval Map – A real-time visual of aurora strength and visibility, if the following colors land over your location. There is also often a red line, if you’re within that there’s still a chance of seeing them on the horizon.
Red = Very strong (drop everything and go!)
Yellow = Moderate (definitely worth going)
Green = Normal (still worth a shot!)
3. Understanding Solar Storms
Geomagnetic storms (caused by solar flares or coronal mass ejections) are ranked as follows:
G1-G2 (Mild to Moderate): Visible in northern latitudes
G3-G4 (Strong to Severe): Possible in lower latitudes
G5 (Extreme): Rare, but visible as far south as the tropics
Note: Forecasts beyond 12-36 hours are unreliable. Apps offering 30-day aurora predictions? They’re trash.
I see a lot of questions that include a date and place in the future “I’ll be in [location] on [five weeks from today], what are my chances?” There’s no way of telling you. Never plan a trip based solely on seeing the northern lights.
Apps & Groups for Aurora Alerts
Apps I Recommend:
Windy (Weather & cloud cover forecasts)
Aurora Alerts App (Real-time aurora data & forecasts)
Space Weather Live (Solar flares, geomagnetic storm updates)
Night Sky App (Track moon phases, planets, constellations)
Websites:
Facebook Groups:
Michigan Aurora Chasers
Great Lakes Aurora Hunters
Upper Midwest Aurora Chasers
Location Scouting
Michigan is home to several dark sky parks and preserves, making it a prime aurora viewing destination. But you don’t need an official dark sky park—just a good location that meets these criteria:
Dark Skies – Minimal light pollution for miles. A large city can shine for a hundred miles.
North-Facing View – Even during intense displays, auroras start in the north.
Unobstructed Horizon – The clearer your view, the better.
Dark Sky Parks & Preserves in Michigan
Michigan is home to many recognized dark sky parks and sanctuaries. These are great, especially as you begin your adventure into aurora chasing as they’re often easy to navigate and often you’ll find others out in the night that may be able to help you if this is your first chase.
Check the official list of Michigan Dark Sky Parks here
Why Do People Gather at the Water?
Many aurora chasers head to the beach for three reasons:
Darkness – Large bodies of water have little to no artificial light.
Open Horizon – No trees or buildings blocking the view.
Reflections – The water mirrors the aurora, making for stunning photography.
You do NOT have to be on the water to see the aurora, it’s just an easy access open space that’s easy to find. Open fields, high hills, etc. also have great vantage points to view from.
When scouting these locations, I highly recommend visiting them at least once during daylight hours, this helps you get the layout of the area, know where you’re wanting to go and keeps you safer than wandering into potential safety hazards in the dark unaware of what lies next.
Expectations vs. Reality
The Naked Eye vs. The Camera
The aurora isn’t as vibrant to the naked eye as it appears in photos.
Green is usually the most visible; reds and purples are often camera-only.
Strong displays can be vivid and dynamic, but weaker/average ones may appear as faint clouds moving.
What to Bring With You
Always
Headlamp with red light
Warm Clothes - even summer nights can become chilly. Dress appropriately and then bring extra. A hoodie, sweat pants, socks, etc.
Blanket, Camp Chair, Pillow - whatever will keep you comfy
Drinks & Snacks - you might be waiting a while
Portable phone charger
Tripod - for your phone or your camera if you plan to take pictures
Winter Nights
Hot Hands - for feet/hands, and even your camera lens if it starts getting too frosty.
Snow Pants - regardless of snow, for warmth
Thick Mittens - to go over thin gloves when you’re not taking pictures
Really any and all winter apparel
Extra Camera Batteries (I keep them in the band of my leggings - they die fast in the cold)
Lens Warmer
Safety
This should be a general practice for any sort of outdoor ventures, but just incase…
Always tell somebody where you’re going and when you plan to be back.
Stay on designated trails and paths.
Bring a friend if possible.
Scope out new locations during the day.
If you’re planning to visit Northern Michigan or the UP, keep in mind many roads are seasonal and unplowed, GPS doesn’t always work and people HAVE and DO get stuck and stranded in the winter.
Bring a real flashlight
Make sure your phone is charged
Stay alert - it’s easy to get off course and disoriented especially in the dark and winter
Final Thoughts
Chasing the northern lights is unpredictable and sometimes tiring, but incredibly rewarding. With patience, preparation and a little luck you might catch one of the most breathtaking natural displays in the world. While Michigan isn’t a top destination for aurora chasing, it sure does give us some pretty magical nights.
Good Luck & Happy Aurora Hunting!