Painted Night Sky: Seeing The Aurora

I finally witnessed it! Right here in Iowa.

I have determined to see the Northern Lights, at least once in my lifetime. And I am even willing to go to a far away place just to see it. Geographic locations near or around the Arctic Circle increases the chance of witnessing this enigmatic occurrence. Places like Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway. I guess you can include Siberia in Russia on this list too.

Though the Northern Lights have been seen here in Iowa, but that is a rare event. In fact it appeared last year, except that I was in the Philippines for a medical mission, and so I missed it. I just have to content myself with the photos my son took of the Aurora right from our backyard (see previous post).

But last night, it appeared again.

We almost missed it, come to think of it, as we were already preparing for bed. My wife was putting on her pajamas when I told her we need to go out and see the Northern Lights. I happened to check my social media, and a friend of ours who lives nearby posted it on her page, which alerted us to see it too.

So we hurried and bundled up, as it was cold, and went out. We were not disappointed. Not at all.

Now that I checked off one in my bucket list, and saw the Aurora Borealis right here in my neck of the woods, it gave me one real dilemma. Should I cancel our planned trip near the Arctic Circle? Don’t worry, we’re not going to Siberia.

From the painted night sky of Iowa,

Pinoytransplant