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An Alaska Photographers’ Calendar Photographers share their stories Getting shot! the ~ inside ~ An Alaska Photographers’ Calendar Aurora 2021 Alaska’s Northern Lights Calendar

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Page 1: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

An Alaska Photographers ’ Calendar

Photographers share

their stories

Getting shot!the~ inside ~

An Alaska Photographers ’

Calendar

Aurora 2021Alaska’s Northern Lights Calendar

Page 2: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Chugach Mountains Canon EOS 6D, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8

10 sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 1600Photo by Daryll Vispo

Page 3: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

NEW YEAR’S DAY

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

(Observed)

27 28 29 30 31 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29

January

DECEMBER 2020

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

FEBRUARY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

On New Year's Eve, my buddy

and I decided to be adventurous

and try winter camping for the

first time with the intention of

watching the fireworks from

4000 ft. After a few hours of

hiking we reached the peak

as the cold winds grew more

intense. We were getting cold

quickly, so we rapidly looked

for a flat spot to set up the tent

and began digging our base. As

soon as I had food in me and

warmed up, I told myself I was

not leaving that tent and soon

passed out! My buddy woke

up around 3 a.m., and lo and

behold, those blustery winds

helped blow the clouds out to

reveal the aurora swirling over

the mountains. It was one of the

most beautiful sights I have ever

seen. The aurora appeared to be

flowing out of the rock outcrop.

At that moment I decided to

brave the cold, grabbed my gear,

and set out to capture a few

photos. It ranks as one of the

best New Year's Eves I have ever

experienced!

Daryll Vispo

30

31

Full moon

New moon

Page 4: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Knik River Valley Canon EOS 5 D Mark II, 24mm f/1.4

1.6 sec., @ f/1.4, ISO 3200Photo by Calvin Hall

Page 5: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

PRESIDENTS’ DAY

Abraham Lincoln1809-1865

Valentine’s Day

Marmot Day(Alaska)

JANUARY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

George Washington1732-1799

Elizabeth Peratrovich Day

(Alaska)

Heritage Day(Yukon Territory)

31 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 1 2 3 4 5 6

Ash Wednesday

MARCH

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February

New moon

Full moon

In early February a warm

weather spell had caused some

of the spring-fed streams of

the Knik River Valley to be

ice free. This exhibited good

potential for the aurora to reflect

in the open leads and pools of

water. A bright moon lit up the

valley, and just shortly after

midnight a faint aurora band

started to build in intensity. I

was trying to guess just where

the aurora would appear in the

sky so I could match it up in

this reflection pool. Because I

needed to commit to a location

to shoot a time lapse, I did not

have the flexibility to relocate.

This meant I needed to predict

the next several minutes of

aurora accurately to get the best

video clip. After 30 years of

photographing the aurora, my

guesses have gotten better, but

the aurora still often surprises

me by frequently moving

unpredictably. This time my

educated guess worked out

well, and the aurora flared up

and did its dance beautifully as

it reflected the brilliant green in

the pool of water!

Calvin Hall

Chinese New Year

Purim begins

Page 6: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Boreal Forest, Interior AlaskaPhoto by Marketa S Murray Canon 5D Mark III, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8

8 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 3200

Page 7: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Seward’s Day(Alaska)

FEBRUARY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Spring EquinoxSt. Patrick’s DayDaylight SavingsTime begins

Susan Butcher Day(Alaska)

Vietnam Veterans’ Day (Alaska)

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 1 2 3

APRIL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

March

Full moon

New moon

During an aurora photo tour

on the eve of St. Patrick’s

Day, we drove for many hours

through blizzard conditions

along Alaska’s infamous ‘Ice

Road,’ which, at times, appeared

one-way between snowdrifts.

There is a very small stretch

along the road where the trees

are covered in hoar frost as the

humid air blowing up from a

river in the valley below gloms

onto them. The effect creates a

frosty, winter wonderland, and

the stars magically appeared as

we approached this spot! Good

fortune gave us a 40-minute

window of mostly clear skies in

the wee hours of the morning.

We had been dreaming of shots

like this for years, and it was

the most beautiful aurora event

we ever photographed. The

following morning we learned

that almost the entire state of

Alaska was under clouds. When

you are feeling overwhelmed

with life, look at this picture,

close your eyes, and imagine

being enveloped by a blanket of

snow while colors of peace and

serenity dance above you.

Marketa S Murray

Palm Sunday

Passover begins

28

Page 8: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Denali & Alaska Range Nikon D35, 70-200mm f/2.8

6 sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 2000Photo by Dave Parkhurst

Page 9: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

U.S. tax returns due

Easter Monday(Canada)

Easter

Good Friday28 29 30 31 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 1

MARCH

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

April

New moon

Full moon

Earth Day

Alaska’s springtime delivers

a lengthening twilight during

which the rich blues of dusk

blend with the emerging stars. In

this dramatic view on the fringes

of Denali State Park and Denali

National Park and Preserve,

dusk silhouettes the lofty

summits of Mt. Foraker, Hunter,

and Denali. Overhead, a vibrant

lavender-laced auroral curtain

shimmers above these iconic

peaks. Rare, colorful bursts

of sweet light like this appear

often quickly, mingle for mere

seconds, and then fade away.

Traveling far off the road system

can unveil broad views of the

Alaska Range, but scouting and

finding photographic locations

like this require planning and

effort. In these often exposed

areas, the north wind is

brutally cold and tests one’s

endurance, determination, and

perseverance. On occasion

however, most exceptionally

during the long nights of

winter, extreme patience and

perseverance prevails, and you

are permitted a “gift.”

Dave Parkhurst

Page 10: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Ice Cave, Alaska Range Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8

1.6 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 3200Photo by Patrick J Endres

Page 11: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Mothers’ Day

Victoria Day (Canada)

MEMORIAL DAY

APRIL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Armed Forces Day

25 26 27 28 29 30 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30

JUNE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 May

On a March evening in the

Alaska Range, a friend and I

frantically donned skis as the

aurora erupted above us. We

knew that the night’s success

depended on several elements

falling into place, one of which

was already happening earlier

than we expected, so we quickly

threw our camera gear in sleds

and started skiing. The aurora

faded away upon our arrival at

the glacier cave, so we did what

all aurora photographers know

how to do well—wait! For three

hours we patiently peered out of

the glacier portal at clear skies

beautifully framed by icicles

formed under the daytime sun.

About 1 a.m., we ventured

further into the cave to assuage

our boredom and explore. When

I returned to the entrance to

get my tripod, I looked out to

find the aurora swirling over

the mountains. I shouted to my

friend to hurry, and we hastily

grabbed shots before the aurora

shifted directions and was no

longer visible from inside the

cave.

Patrick J Endres

31

Arbor Day (Alaska)

Full moon

New moon

Page 12: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Miner's Cabin, Brooks Range Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8

3.9 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 5000Photo by Amy J Johnson

Page 13: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Fathers’ Day

MAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Flag Day

Summer Solstice

D-Day, 1944

30 31 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 1 2 3

JULY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 June

In February 2019, I ventured

north from Fairbanks on

one of my annual solo trips

to photograph the aurora in

Alaska’s Brooks Range. Making

these travel decisions is always

a gamble when trying to predict

ahead of time what the weather

hundreds of miles away might

be, but it looked promising. In

addition, I was encouraged by

the aurora forecasts that were

predicting a 50% chance of a

G1 minor geomagnetic storm.

With help from local friends

in the area, I made three ski

trips in to this remote mining

cabin in order to transport gear

and establish snowshoe trails

in the very deep snow that

had accumulated. At 2 a.m., in

temperatures well below zero,

the sky exploded with dancing

aurora. My friend and I stood

in awe as colorful coronas burst

overhead. Although I enjoy my

solo time in the wilderness,

that night I was reminded how

good it feels to share such an

incredible experience with a

friend.

Amy J Johnson

Full moon

New moon

Page 14: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Talkeetna Mountains Pentax 645N, 45mm f/2.8

30 sec., @ f/2.8, Fuji Provia, ISO 400Photo by Fred Hirschmann

Page 15: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Canada Day(Canada)

Parents’ Day

Alaska Flag Day

Ted Stevens Day(Alaska)

Full moon

27 28 29 30 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

JUNE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

AUGUST

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 July

New moon

When a pair of massive solar

flares erupting from the sun

triggered a pair of coronal

mass ejections racing toward

Earth, I raced north to where

I'd be assured of beautiful

scenery. Near Cantwell and

Broad Pass in the Alaska Range,

meteorological conditions

produced crystal clear skies,

-20º F temperatures, and a 20-

knot wind! Pale blue light of the

approaching winter dawn can

just be detected in this image

of rare red, purple, and blue

aurora borealis shimmering

above the snowy taiga. To keep

my medium format cameras

working in such brutally cold

conditions, every twenty

minutes each camera body

was brought inside my running

pickup truck and placed directly

in the heat. I, on the other hand,

stayed out all night enjoying

the spectacular show. Another

photograph taken that night

was used by the USPS as a first

class stamp celebrating the

International Polar Year.

Fred Hirschmann

Page 16: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Chugach Mountains Sony ILCE-7RM3, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8

168 stacked photos at 30 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 1600Photo by Jody Overstreet

Page 17: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Discovery Day(Yukon Territory)

SEPTEMBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

JULY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Civic Day(Canada)1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 1 2 3 4

August

New moon

Full moon

Chasing auroras in the depths

of a cold, dark night takes

no small amount of grit. As a

photography tour guide, most of

my time in the field was spent

attending to guests’ comfort and

helping them capture their own

memorable shots. But on this

particular moonless night, the

aurora forecast was as mild as

the weather, and I was guiding

only one guest who had the right

mental attitude for a successful

night regardless of the outcome;

so after helping him set up his

camera, I had an opportunity

to create a star trail. Having

forgotten to pack a remote

shutter release, I improvised by

taping down the button with a

“high-tech” pebble. This single

image is made from 168 stacked

photos taken over an hour and

a half. Though the main goal

was to capture rotation of the

brilliant stars, Lady Aurora was

not to be upstaged and made

a brief appearance over the

Chugach Mountains.

Jody Overstreet

Page 18: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Chilkat Mountains Canon EOS 1Dx, 15mm f/2.8

6 sec., @ f/4, ISO 1600Photo by John Hyde

Page 19: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

LABOR DAY

AUGUST

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

OCTOBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Grandparents’ Day

Rosh Hashanah begins

Yom Kippur begins

29 30 31 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 1 2

Fall Equinox

September

There are two fundamentals

in aurora photography, an

optimal aurora forecast and a

promising weather forecast.

Due to the quickly changing

and often cloudy weather in

Southeast Alaska, synchronizing

the two is challenging. On this

night, the aurora forecast was

favorable, but the weather

forecast called for developing

clouds by midnight. Because

there are often fewer clouds

north of Juneau, I drove along

the road watching the skies.

The aurora remained elusive,

and I could see the threatening

clouds approaching from the

south. The opportunity was

not looking promising. Faint

aurora appeared around the

rising moon in the east, which

I photographed for a while.

When I turned around to get a

different lens out of my pack,

suddenly the northwest sky lit

up with color over the Chilkat

Mountains. I had a few minutes

to make some photographs

just before the clouds rolled

in. Perseverance is often a

necessary attribute when

photographing outdoors!

John Hyde

Full moon

New moon

Page 20: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Icebergs & Beaufort Sea Canon EOS 5D, 16-35mm f/2.8

47 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 400Photo by Hugh Rose

Page 21: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Halloween

COLUMBUS DAY(Observed)

Thanksgiving (Canada)

Indigenous People’s Day(Alaska)

SEPTEMBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

NOVEMBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

26 27 28 29 30 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Alaska Day(Alaska)

October

New moon

Full moon

While guiding a photo tour

in Alaska’s Arctic in mid-

September, I was lucky to

experience a clear and windless

night along the shores of the

Beaufort Sea. I immediately

hoped to photograph the

aurora and icebergs reflecting

in the calm water. When I saw

the aurora appear later that

night, I rushed to the one bluff

overlooking the sea that I knew

would provide the necessary

elevated perspective to get the

shot. However, upon arrival,

a grizzly bear was lying in the

grass exactly where I wanted

to plant my tripod! After

scouting along the coast for

other locations, the aurora

faded away, so I paused for a

while to watch a few polar bears

playing under the moonlight.

Just as I was about to call it a

night, the aurora flared again,

so I ventured back to my first

spot which, thankfully, was now

grizzly bear free. I captured a

dozen images while I listened

to polar bears splashing in the

water down the beach. It was

an unforgettable night of aurora

photography!

Hugh Rose

31

Page 22: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Nenana River Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 16-35mm f/2.8

10 sec., @ f/2.8, ISO 1600Photo by Ronn Murray

Page 23: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

THANKSGIVING

Election Day

DECEMBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

OCTOBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

VETERANS DAYRemembrance Day

(Canada)

Order your 2022 Aurora calendar today atwww.GreatlandGraphics.com

Daylight SavingsTime ends

31 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 1 2 3 4

November

Full moon

New moon

●•

Capturing this image near Denali

National Park and Preserve

took four years of planning and

effort including many failed

attempts. But the day after

Thanksgiving I had much to

be grateful for because all the

elements finally came together.

Despite temperatures that

dipped below -40º F, and the

car’s windshield losing the battle

to frost, the conditions were

nearly perfect! The wind was

nonexistent which was very rare

for this typically windy location.

In addition to staying warmer in

the absence of wind, the trees

had less movement over the

10-second exposure. The nearly

full moon rising in the southwest

provided the perfect amount

and proper angle of light. After

working the scene to get the

right composition, I waited for

nearly an hour until the lights

danced magically for about

10 minutes. They then faded

away and never returned. Good

aurora photography is often a

combination of skill, planning,

stubbornness, and dumb luck.

Ronn Murray

Hanukkah begins

Page 24: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

Chugach Mountains Nikon D850, 14mm f/1.8

4 sec., @ f/2.0, ISO 2000Photo by Todd Salat

Page 25: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

November

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

CHRISTMAS

Boxing Day(Canada)

Winter Solstice

New Year’s Eve

Pearl Harbor Day

28 29 30 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31 1

January 2022

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

December

New moon

Full moon

It was night number 14 of the

aurora hunt—the night I had

promised my wife I would be

home—when an encouraging

aurora alert was announced on

spaceweather.com. A coronal

hole on the sun was pointing

toward earth and hosing us

down with a vast, aurora-

generating dose of charged

particles. Fortunately, my very

understanding wife said, “You

better stay out there!” When

I spotted the first green band

of aurora at 8 p.m., I knew

something very cool was being

newly minted. Often, when

the aurora appears early in the

evening in Alaska, it signals a

promising sign for an amazing

show ahead. Breath-taking

auroras burst onto the scene

45 minutes later as I knelt on

the edge of the clear ice and

composed their reflection

amidst delicate ice crystals

that resembled popcorn. The

hoarfrost-encrusted trees

contributed another delicate

element, while the ridge line of

Pioneer Peak of the Chugach

Range provided an iconic

landmark.

Todd Salat

Page 26: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

What Causes aurora Colors?

The colors of the aurora are made up of red, blue and green light emissions. Other colors may be seen as a mixture, or blending of the three. The typical human eye can see wavelengths from about 430 to 790 nanometers and has a maximum sensitivity around 555 nm, which, interestingly, is the same wavelength as the green-colored aurora.

Atomic oxygen causes the two most common aurora colors of green, 557.7 nm (O plus high-energy electrons) and red, 630.0 nm (O plus low-energy electrons). Nitrogen (N2) causes the blues (470 nm) and reds (600-700 nm). Other lighter gases high in the ionosphere, such as hydrogen and helium, can contribute colors but they are less visible to the naked eye.

The aurora occur most frequently from 60 to 200 miles (100 to 320 km) above Earth. Because the composition of atmospheric gases varies depending on their distance from Earth’s surface, altitude also influences aurora color. For example: Atomic oxygen is more common in higher altitudes, so the red aurora typically appear above the green aurora

While green aurora is commonly seen with the human eye, we don’t see reds very well because they are on the edge of the human eye’s color wavelength perception. Camera sensors, however, can capture reds and other colors much better than we can due to their broader sensitivity of color wavelength. Some of the other colors we see in the aurora displays are mixtures of other light emission colors. For example, purple is a blend of the red and blue emissions from the nitrogen atoms.

Aurora Colorscolor wavelength chart in nanometers

Colorful sections of aurora.

450400 500

450

550 600 650 700 750

ph

oto

s b

y P

atr

ick J

End

res

Page 27: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

January

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

February

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28

March

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

April

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

2 0 2 2

May

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July

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31

August

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September

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October

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30 31

November

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Page 28: Aurora 2021 - Greatland Graphics€¦ · aurora accurately to get the best video clip. After 30 years of photographing the aurora, my guesses have gotten better, but the aurora still

ISBN 978-1-940381-336 US $ 12.95ISBN 978-1-940381-39-8 US $ 13.95

Alaska’s Northern Lights Calendar

Getting the Shot

Inside, Alaska's top aurora photographers share the story behind what it took to capture their amazing photo of the northern lights. They display a blend of creativity, perseverance, patience, planning, and often endure extreme weather in order to bring you the beauty of Alaska's night skies.

Daryll Vispo Calvin Hall Marketa S Murray Dave Parkhurst

Patrick J Endres Amy J Johnson Fred Hirschmann Jody Overstreet

John Hyde Hugh Rose Ronn Murray Todd Salat

Chugach Mountains Knik River Valley Boreal Forest Denali & Alaska Range

Chugach MountainsTalkeetna MountainsMiner's Cabin, Brooks RangeGlacier Ice Cave, Alaska Range

Chilkat Mountains Icebergs & Beaufort Sea Nenana River Pioneer Mountain

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© 2020 Greatland Graphics | Edition 15 | Printed in Canada

Calendar dates and times for equinoxes, solstices, and moon phases are adjusted for Alaska time. This calendar was printed with paper milled from trees harvested in accord with the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC) guidelines promoting responsible forest management.

Greatland Graphics is an Alaska-owned company that features Alaskan artists and photographers. When you purchase our products, you support their creative endeavors. Each year we donate a portion of our income to not-for-profit organizations that support the future of Alaska’s land and communities. Visit GreatlandGraphics.com to learn more, and order from our full line of award-winning Alaska calendars, books, and notecards.

Aurora 2021