Comments on: Michigan Northern Lights Log

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:26:33 +0000

We live in Grass Lake on Wolf lake. Tonight my neighbor called to ask me to look outside.
Nice colors but no curtain. What a beautiful sight.

By: Lorin

Lorin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:15:44 +0000

Oct 16, 2009, Chelsea Michigan at 8:52PM We began to observe vertical light lines at all compass point directions from just above horizon to later on about 10:30 PM large lines overarching the sky. There was no color, curtaining or any of the usual display that comes with northen lights. The lines varied in brightness and length. Could this be contrails turning to ice crystals from very high altitude flights? Today, Oct 17, 2009 Numerous contrails were visible in the sky during daylight. They seemed very stable as if the upper altitude winds were were very slow. Clouds below these contrails were moving more quickly. We over 50(age)sky watchers all agreed that we have never seen anything like this before in the night or day sky. Has there been increased clandestine Military flight action in Michigan? We did not feel that this was all nature. Any ideas?

By: Thom in Napoleon, MI

Thom in Napoleon, MI — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:21:38 +0000

These also caught my eye last night as well. I first saw the streaks when leaving Hanover from a football game. They were mainly in the west at first, which seemed unusual to me. I pulled off into a field to observe. Upon returning home I made my way back to the middle of a farm field and watched for about an hour. They were popping up in all directions. I think it turned out to be ice crystals reflecting ground light and not aurora borealis. Still very cool though.

By: Doozie

Doozie — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Amazing light show last night (10-16-09)! Light all around us, streaks, spikes, curtains. Live way out in the country (Mason)with no ambient light around and could walk the fields with no flashlights.

By: Steve in Lake Orion

Steve in Lake Orion — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:00:11 +0000

Unfortunately, I wasn't looking for them last night; however, I did see some very fascinating colors in the sky this morning around 8:00 AM while driving my son to a scouting activity in Lake Orion, MI. They were mostly in the east and slightly on either side of the rising sun. The lights were very similar to the colors in a rainbow, but were short, vertical shafts and did not form an arch like a rainbow does. They were so beautiful and unusual that I felt compelled to do a quick Google, which led me to this site! I will be sure to look for them again later this evening. God is the Master Artist. Earth is His canvas, Nature his paintbrush.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:33:10 +0000

Finally....some verification of what myself and the rest of the family was looking at. I'm in Hartland and saw them everywhere but the northwest direction last night. Then this morning on the way to work, to the north and north east only. Saw single shafts of vertical light streaks mostly with a few areas that were "brush stroked" also, completely vertical. My kids also saw them for the first time.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:25:13 +0000

On the drive from Eaton Rapids to Jackson and back the northern lights were amazing. They were all over. North, South, East and West. I wasn't sure at first what they were, because of seeing them in all directions. Never seen anything quite like it.

By: Traci

Traci — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:09:23 +0000

I am in Pleasant Lake and the Northern Lights are quite vivid. There are also streaks of light to the East and West, mostly white.

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:28:10 +0000

I am in Bancroft, MI. been watching for about an hour, very cool!! Tried to take pic but it didnt turn out, its to dark.

By: Jen, Shamus and Sean

Jen, Shamus and Sean — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:52:22 +0000

Seeing the northern lights just north of Perry, MI strongest in the western sky, but visible all over. Looks mostly white and streaky, a few streaks of red. First time the kids saw it - a real treat! 8:50PM

By: Jodie

Jodie — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:52:20 +0000

In Eaton Rapids, MI I swear you could see a very faint bit of the northern lights tonight. No color, just the pattern in the sky.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:42:44 +0000

Tonight. Howell mi. All over. The northern lights are just warming up

By: annette

annette — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:13:41 +0000

Will be in Munising on 7/31, 8/1 and 8/2 then in Copper Harbor 8/3 - 8/6. Are my chances of seeing the lights good and is there a specific area better than others?

By: Crystal

Crystal — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 05:12:49 +0000

Was up between Pinconning and Standish about an hour ago (midnight) and despite the more than sporadic cloud cover I got to see some of the Aurora. The displays were so strong that it was showing through even the thick clouds. Unfortunately I was with some non-enthusiasts and my viewing might have lasted two minutes at best. This probably would be my third or fourth time seeing them up there in the past 10 years (and in my life for that matter.) I wish I could have stayed longer (I wasn't the one driving through.)

By: Angie

Angie — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:39:02 +0000

We finally seen the Nothern Lights on Feb 14, 2009! Our first time and we should be able to see them again on Feb 24th & March 3rd.

We live 1 hr north of detroit.

Anyone else catch them?

By: farlane

farlane — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:46:02 +0000

Northern Lights Forecast: Predicting the Aurora Borealis in Michigan on Michigan in Pictures has information about how you can forecast auroral displays in Michigan - really cool! Also just got a tip on a cool aurora alert service you can subscribe to for email or mobile alerts.

By: farlane

farlane — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:58:40 +0000

You're at the far south of where you can see the lights most times, but you see the lights most often in the later fall and winter months. I believe it's dues to the tilt of the access.

In terms of time, 10 pm - 3 am is when I've seen them most often.

By: Angie

Angie — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:11:39 +0000

I live down near Detroit. Anyone know if I will be able to catch the Northern Lights from here? If so, what months would be the best time to start looking?
Thanks!

By: Sonja Galovics

Sonja Galovics — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:37:58 +0000

In 1997 I was driving home to Hammond Bay, on Lake Huron from a party in Indian River, MI. As I rounded a corner going around the east side of Black Lake, I saw the northern lights over the Lake. I stopped my car in this open area and watched this unbelievable site. It was summer time around 2 am. What a time not to have a camera in the car! The colors danced acrossed the sky over the lake. Bright colors dancing in and out. I'm a great grandmother and I don't do drugs but this was really wild. I have no idea how long I sat there & watched...I didn't want it to end. I was told by my friend up north that in the summer late at night just south of the Mackinac Bridge a lot of viewings of the northern lights were common. I guess I was just never up that late at night before!

By: farlane

farlane — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:46:19 +0000

Hi, you can see them anywhere in Michigan, but to really get the best lights, the Superior shore in the Upper Peninsula is ideal!

By: marcia

marcia — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:16:37 +0000

how far up north in mich. do i have to go to see some really neat northern lights???? marcia

By: farlane

farlane — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:06:43 +0000

Hey Tamar, Port Huron is a little south for reliable Northern Lights viewing. While you certainly can see them in Port Huron at times, you really need to get to the UP.

By: Tamar

Tamar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:32:49 +0000

Or anywhere else during the next few weeks too. Thanks again!

By: Tamar

Tamar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:31:49 +0000

Heading up to Port Huron next week, is it possible to see the Northern Lights there around that area? Any suggestions where they might visible? Thanks!

By: Absolute Michigan

Absolute Michigan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:01:37 +0000

Scientists expose mystery behind northern lights from lsj.com

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Scientists have exposed some of the mystery behind the northern lights. On Thursday, NASA released findings that indicate magnetic explosions about one-third of the way to the moon cause the northern lights, or aurora borealis, to burst in spectacular shapes and colors, and dance across the sky. The findings should help scientists better understand the more powerful but less common geomagnetic storms that can knock out satellites, harm astronauts in orbit and disrupt power and communications on Earth, scientists said.

By: farlane

farlane — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:17:34 +0000

Munising/Marquette is a great place to start - if you can get out of town (say Big Bay or Pictured Rocks) your chances are even better!

By: annette nichols

annette nichols — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:09:04 +0000

Going to visit the Munising/Marquette area about the 3rd week of August. What are my chances of see the northern lights? Is there an area where my chances are better?

By: allison

allison — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:24:58 +0000

Saw Northern Lights last night between 10-11 p.m. They were everywhere but the western sky. Beautiful!

By: farlane

farlane — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:03:43 +0000

Well, there's always a chance Kathy. Space Weather (a great site!) says that things are pretty quiet right now, but that can always change. Try and go out at 11 PM or so and if you don't see anything, have another look at 1 AM.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:55:38 +0000

We will be staying in Ishpeming this weekend. What are the chances of seeing the northern lights??