Northern lights sept 6th sailing?

[Kriswinegar]

What are my chances of seeing the northern lights in Sept? of this year? Has anyone ever seen them from your ship?

[mek]

Well, it will be dark enough then, but I think it depends on three things:

 

Atmospheric conditions

Is it cloudy or clear?

Phase of the moon - I would imagine a bright full moon makes it more difficult to the aurora. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

 

We have been to Alaska 2X in September and have never seen them.

Edited July 13, 2015 by mek

[Budget Queen]

What are my chances of seeing the northern lights in Sept? of this year? Has anyone ever seen them from your ship?

 

I suggest, you check- daily -the predictions, AND spend a considerable amount of time out at a dark area- which can be difficult to find on a ship. You have to have an "active" prediction, and a clear dark night. If you can not see stars, stay in bed. I have seen aurora from a cruise ship- but not frequently.

[plumie]

we saw the aurora last September (3rd and 4th) when we were up in Fairbanks, but it's completely hit and miss and depends on a whole lot of factors that I'm not smart enough to explain (if you want to see photos, I have a link to my trip report in my signature). I don't think it's impossible to see it from a cruise ship, but it's a lot harder - it's too bright, and generally unless it's a big show you're not far north enough to be able to see it clearly. But it CAN be done in September. Good luck!

[laughing husky]

If there is a solar storm, you might very well see them....and if you can't from the ship...lots of times they are too lit up but sometimes, just sometimes, from an aft cabin or deck, you can see them.....and if not, one place pele rarely look....is out of the window at 35,000' on the way up or back from Alaska....I have seen some mighty good lights from the air....

[Putterdude]

It is not impossible that you could see them in September from a cruise ship, its just highly unlikely.

[Northern Aurora]

While we can occasionally see a weak aurora in Fairbanks in late August the best time for possible views is late September to March. The OP may want to check the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute website for an aurora forecast (http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast). I also think that while it may not be impossible see an aurora from a cruise ship in September it is highly unlikely.

[SunniLicious]

Thanks for asking - I had the same question - and good luck!