‘Tis the season to be jolly in the presence of twinkling lights. Dark winter nights, though cold and long, give us more time with the stars. Or in this case, a chance to witness the captivating sway and shimmer of Aurora Borealis at Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The waves of color come from bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields as they interact with elements in the Earth’s atmosphere. Northern lights happen all year long, but we need darkness to see them. It’s a reminder that we all live in a universe full of bright objects. If you’re going out to photograph or admire the night sky on public lands, dress warmly, check the website for current conditions and be sure to come back and tell us about it! Photograph by Keith Ramos, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
