Since it was founded in 2021, the Michigan Aurora Chasers has helped thousands of people to experience the Northern Lights for the first time. The stories we’ve heard over the years have been inspiring, encouraging and moving. Featuring a photograph by Founding Admin Nate Stovall!
Tell us your story! Your comments and replies here will be publicly displayed on the website, as a testimonial to the strength of this community for years to come. What does the Michigan Aurora Chasers mean to you?
Click “Leave a Comment” to tell us your story!
4 responses to “Your Stories”
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We’re so honored to lead this community! You inspire us as much as our Aurora Chases inspire you. Thank you for being part of the Michigan Aurora Chasers!
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The Chase
While I sit here processing 2000 photos from Sunday night. I am reminded of what I love about the Aurora. I have been chasing Aurora most of my life. I was introduced to astronomy by my grandparents a long time ago. They had a small telescope and belonged to a small astronomy group. They lived in a small Northern Michigan town where the darkest, most open area was in the cemetery. As a kid, I always had fun telling friends that I spent my summers hanging out with my grandparents in the cemetery. I was introduced to Aurora decades ago by them. For that, I am eternally grateful. I have spent many a night on the hunt. Back in the day, we didn’t have all these cool tools we have today: cameras to capture, forecasting to predict, and the internet to share when they are out. Sunday was special. I was in Copper Harbor (you can’t get much further north in Michigan) after a fun weekend at the Great Lakes Aurora Jamboree, where I met some amazing people and listened to amazing speakers. Unfortunately, the 3 nights I had scheduled to be there, there wasn’t much going on, Aurora-wise, which is just part of the hunt. You never know when or where they are going to happen, even with the forecasts. As the last part of the Jamboree, Sunday morning, as everyone was gearing up to leave for home, I decided to spend another night. There were areas I hadn’t gotten a chance to explore during the day, and there was a good chance the Aurora might show, so the decision was made. I had a grand time exploring in the afternoon, seeing lighthouses, waterfalls, and other outdoor beauty. I picked some locals’ brains on good locations to see Aurora ( unrestricted north-facing area, with some interesting foreground features). I checked them out during the day to understand the terrain, parking, and safe areas. Nightfall was about to happen, sunset being around 8 pm. Typically, you can start to see Aurora around 2-ish hours after sunset when it gets really dark. I enjoyed a great sunset, nice weather, and a few bugs. Around 9 pm, I start to see what could be fog/clouds on the horizon. Before total darkness, it is kinda a nebulous mass, blocking stars as they start to appear.. I figure after lots of experiences lately that it was going to be another bust. With zero cell service, I couldn’t check “the numbers” to see the forecast. I took a test shot with my phone, just handheld… Hey, there is a little faint green in those “clouds”… Wait, that may be Aurora! The minutes go by, the “clouds”, which were clouds, would start to disappear, and they were getting brighter. Awesome, that is Aurora!!
The excitement builds. The feeling of I am not going to get skunked on this trip! As the minutes tick by, it starts getting stronger and more dynamic, and then the lady starts dancing… Well, the strongest storm I have seen to date was on March 24th, 2023. I think this was more exciting and dynamic, with STEVE, SAR arc, picket fences, proton aurora, and RAGDA all happening in just a few hours.
What a treat, what a way to cap off a year that, after being really strong in previous years, has been a bit of a disappointment. To cap it off, I was alone, but a kid stopped to see what I was doing. He was visiting from Detroit and had never seen a show. Listening to his excitement was thrilling, adding to the special night. This is why I chase, this is why it is so special. I plan to visit locations where Aurora is more common. I really love the chase in Michigan; you never know what you are going to get or when it is going to happen. Seeing what I saw Sunday night fills me with wonder and awe. Makes me appreciate what beauty really is. The chase, while it often doesn’t result in much aurora, always has surprising things to see if you are open to looking. I am never disappointed chasing the elusive lady aurora. I never feel sad that I didn’t see it. Spending time outdoors, whether with friends or alone in beautiful locations, and hearing the wildlife (hopefully not too close) is always worth the effort. Although I knew the show was available in many Michigan locations on Sunday, I was thrilled to have stayed another night as far north as possible. I hope you get to enjoy the excitement of a chase and are lucky enough to see a show like I was able to see.LikeLike
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never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be able to see Lady Aurora as I have blessed to see without the generous gift of yours and others knowledge. In 2019 a group of us went to Iceland with a bucket list item of seeing the NL. She eluded me. While it was a wonderful trip I was disappointed.
in 2018 we had purchased a home in the UP. I saw where people had seen them on Lake Superior’s shoreline. We made a couple of trips there with no luck.
The. One day I saw where a local night sky photographer posted so picture close to our home in the UP. I immediately looked at her site and purchased a picture she took in Grand Marais. She was so kind to deliver it to me in person. She was so kind to text me multiple times afterwards when she saw them on our lake. Shelley is the reason I saw them the first time and I am eternally grateful to her for that. Since then I have followed this page and learned so much. Your generosity to share your knowledge is nothing short of incredible. I have seen the Aurora so many times from my yard as a result. I thank you and all of your moderators for all of time you have committed to help so many people fulfill their bucket list items of seeing the Aurora. I have a passion for capturing the beautiful sunrises I am gifted and now the Aurora on the shore of our home on Big Manistique.
I have appreciated Patrick Grubba’s immediate posts that I run out as soon as I see them and if I observe the Aurora I immediately post on our local page so others can view them as well paying forward the gift you have given me!
Eternally grateful!Sue B
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Thank you Sue what a great story! We are happy we could help. Our team continues to find new ways to help anyone that wishes to feel the joy you felt when you first saw the lights. It is such an awe inspiring phenomenon! Thanks for being a member and to more successful chases…
Patrick
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