http://www.bearskin.com/. A map to one of my favorite Northern Lights viewing locations which is a bit north of Duluth may be found at the very bottom of this post. A map to one of my favorite Northern Lights viewing locations which is a bit north of Duluth may be found at the very bottom of this post. Towering red rays and green arcs explode across the northwestern sky during the height of an auroral display on February 15-16, 2023, over Duluth, Minnesota. Forecast: Auroral activity will be active. Standing . You will definitely make our birding trip more enjoyable, and hopefully my first view of northern lights!! Two to three hours after sunset tends to be the best viewing time. SpaceWeather Live maintains a forecast for Aurora conditions expected over the next 72 hours. It is NOT a forecast. While difficult to predict, there are a few websites that offer decent Northern Lights forecasting capabilities. Both human-made lights and a bright moon can obscure northern lights. The NLASC meets at Peace Church, 1111 N 11th Ave E, Duluth, MN 55805 from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm six times a year on the 1st Saturday of the even months: February, April, June, August, October, and December. Thanks to our northern location and vast, dark skies, we in Cook County, Minnesota are lucky enough to see them often. Astro Bob: March sky celestial highlights, Astro Bob: Kissing planets! Weather.gov > Duluth, MN . In addition, pay attention to trends. Short-term aurora forecast for ABN, North Pole, Alaska, USA, UK . Mid- and southern parts of Minnesota, such as Lake City, Park Rapids, Mankato, St. Auroras seem to be more active near the first day of spring and fall. Here S The Saay Northern Lights Forecast For Minnesota Bring Me News. After many years, we have learned there are a few things that are more important in the hunt for the Northern Lights. Listed below are some websites of organizations that monitor the sun, measure the solar wind in real-time (now), and make aurora predictions. Hawk Ridge, Duluth. Always, always bring an extra set of car keys which are in your parka, not a bag or something else which could get locked in your car. The time is now to contact your state legislators. We always like to know what the moon's doing since its glare can compromise a delicacy like the aurora. Can you recommend a good town to use as a kind of home base. They will be renting specialized winter gear from outfitters in Ely. While space weather is hard to forecast so far in advance, this list can be useful to spot when recurrent and reliable solar features like coronal hole solar wind . Once again, for Northern Minnesota you want a Kp of 5 or higher. On this site you'll find: The Alaska Northern Lights forecast in Fairbanks, Anchorage and all the Alaskan territory. All measurements are only a prediction, and give no northern lights guarantee . Use these resources to learn when an aurora display is forecast! night around 11 p.m. local time near last quarter phase and shouldn't pose much of a problem. October 30, 2021 / 5:00 AM / CBS Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota is under a solar storm watch for Saturday night, meaning you might be able to see the northern lights. See the Boulder Lake Map on this web page which you will find at the bottom of this page. . However, the app provides Aurora forecasts, current conditions, and alerts. I know the information is here but at first glance it is bit much to digest. Please be advised, in many of these locations, there will not be cell phone service. For the best chance of a sighting, plan your vacation for late fall or wintertime, and then check the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center online for the daily aurora forecast as well as the . Remember that Ovation Aurora is an immediate term forecast and is updated every 20 minutes. Facebook page. NOAA suggests checking for the aurora between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, when the lights are typically most active you can see a 30-minute . If things look dire for your town, click the Within 180 miles link to check on other locations that may offer better weather prospects. I look forward to following you posts. These types of storms can result in Aurora Borealis being visible as far south as Nebraska and Iowa. The lodge allows you to sample the wilderness dogsledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hot tubbing right from the front door of the lodge. The aurora forecast is updated daily at midnight UTC. Measuring CMEs is an inexact science. Where in Minnesota can you see the Northern Lights tonight? Both the forecasts for Northern Lights and weather / clouds are a crap shoot your call. Northern Lights Express, or NLX, is igniting imaginations around Minnesota and the nation. Immediate Forecasts are very good and use Ovation Aurora which measures current conditions on earth and makes predictions for 20 to 40 minutes in the future. Thanks for your prompt response.I have never really been in the wilderness and thus I have little to no knowledge.You did give a great insight and I appreciate it. In the next seven days temperatures will hit the -40F which does include windchill. Aurora forecast is at High. I am planning a trip to Tofte early August. Northern Lights Forecast. Phone 218-655-5018 | Fax 218-451-4511. The lodge is a fantastic, albeit expensive lodge. The . facebook; linkedin; Voyageurs National Park provides extensive views of clear night skies from its waterways. Date: January 4, 2023. Aurora Borealis Forecast Tonight . Thus possible, but not likely on the equinox. I can travel way up north from Wisconsin and would like to be safe at the same time. Use the forecast tools linked via this blog as the day approaches. Join us for our 13th Annual Softball Event at Wade Stadium on Thursday, August 4th . The book is the story of the Amity Owlets. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. The CMEs will result in a G3-class geomagnetic storm, which is classified as strong, according to the forecast. 01%. Each hour is shown as a small, colored square. Meanwhile, Saturn and Jupiter continue to push into the evening sky. Renee Alexander will take the reins from retiring CEO, Jerry Hammer. I really appreciate all the great information you have provided here. The key will be cloud cover, which according to the National Weather Service is expected to diminish from west to east across Minnesota tonight. 0. The map will tell you the expected percentage of cloud cover at different times of the day, and days in the future. Capturing the northern lights on film is no easy task. 03-06. Northern Lights Express project. Live Webstream. Dont just visit Cook County. It rises Weds. See below for app recommendation and review. The project is eligible for an 80% federal matching grant, contingent upon securing state funding. 09-12. Check the Forecast The Northern Lights are notoriously hard to predict, but for the best odds, these sites can help. In fact, the weather affects light activity significantly, especially space weather: solar flares of the sun and the solar wind stream. Thus, check around sunset, and recheck a few times over the next hour. Let's hope we can give it to them. Ovation Aurora forecasts the likelihood of viewing the Aurora within the next 30 minutes. Still, it's a chance to see the northern lights! Hi, do you think its going to be possible to see northern lights in December or January? NOAA categorized this particular solar storm watch as G3, which is a stronger chance to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) often take up to 72 hours to reach earth. My middle son worked summers while in graduate as an outfitter on the Gunfint Trail. The shooting happened following a celebration of life. Plus, they have a forecast available to help you know what Aurora activity you may see in the week ahead. I live at the southernmost tip of Texas so this will be a whole new experience for me. Questions arise about CME size, strength, direction/angle, etc. Friends of mine who hunt do this because they enjoy being out in the wild, often with friends. Northern lights in minnesota northern lights in minnesota northern lights north s minnesota aurora borealis forecast everything. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. The incident remains under investigation. Important: when traveling in the winter - please be advised that not all of these roads are plowed. Time: 12:01 am - 6:30 am. Wolves will leave the area fast if they sense humans around. Thanks a tonne! 3-Day Forecast (Mar 3 to Mar 5) The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet levels on Mar 4 (03 Mar), quiet to active levels on Mar 5 (04 Mar) and quiet to minor storm levels on Mar 6 (05 Mar). In terms of the best Northern Lights forecast in Alaska, the most complete site is the Geophysical institute of Alaska. Northern LightsSpecial Education CooperativeQuality Education Through Cooperation and Partnership. When you see northern lights face to faceflashing, weaving, and pulsing across the starry skyit feels like pure magic. Minnesota Northern Lights Viewing And Photography 365 Days Of Birds. We see that you have javascript disabled. At night the Milky Way is an amazing sight. What does that mean? 1. Stellar Skies Northern Lights Illuminate The North Star State Explore Minnesota. Using Google Maps in satellite mode can help you find potential viewing spots wherever you will be visiting. Cook County is the Best Place to View the Northern Lights in Minnesota (and the lower 48 states) You don't have to travel to the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis. Reports indicate that your best bet is going out on August 18 or 19. https://www.grandelylodge.com/, 2. Duluth, MN Weather Forecast, with current conditions, wind, air quality, and what to expect for the next 3 days. The 18-year-old driver was arrested on multiple charges. Every eleven years or so it beats, and it beats hard. Jupiter and Venus embrace on March 1, Astro Bob: 92 moons and counting Meet Jupiter's growing family, Astro Bob: Aurora alert Feb. 19-20, tiny-asteroid impact update, Astro Bob: Don't look now, but there's a giraffe over your head, Astro Bob: Asteroid 2023 CX1 explodes over France; Venus greets Neptune. will drive up from iowa. Want Kp index of 5+ in NE Minnesota. I am afriad your comments about hunters and looters begs the question if you understand folks who live in remote parts of America. P.O. Blue means fewer clouds, gray means cloudy. Come August days are shorter and the viewing window would be greater. A strong geometric storm is forecast to hit earth, which could make the aurora borealis visible farther south than is typical. Stay up late: Best times to see Northern Lights is often between 9 pm - 4 am, so bring along plenty of coffee or tea. What a fantastic informational site! (FOX 9) - The aurora put on quite the show overnight in Minnesota, as viewer photos and videos show the mystic green glow. Clear Sky Chart A grand opening is scheduled for Wednesday. "Like a severe thunderstorm watch, (a solar storm watch means) the ingredients are there for this to develop, but we don't know if it's going to happen yet," meteorologist Mike Augustyniak said. 2. Personally I like to wait until it's at Both are fantastic viewing locations. Please pick up an official road map for offline navigation. But even though there is a set period of discovering the impressive light display, you must be a lucky person to witness one of them. November offers another chance when the Leonid show occurs. Like the place. Good viewing spots tend to be lake boat access ramps which face north. That's 3rd magnitude Deneb Algedi in Capricornus, a white giant about twice as big as the sun located 39 light-years away. Do you think it will be too cloudy to view? Unfortunately, this could be bad . This product is based on the OVATION model and provides a 30 to 90 minute forecast of the location and intensity of the aurora. Minnesota is a state that offers polar lights chasers a supply of several ideal spots to witness the beauty as it is. This page has a link to viewing spots towards the bottom which utilizes Google maps. Fortunately, just by being in the great Northwoods your chances of catching a shooting star are infinitely increased. Take a look at the cloud cover forecast for 9 p.m. Monday (left) and midnight (right). NWS Forecast Office Duluth, MN. Will the Northern Lights be visible in the summer months (July) in Northern Minnesota? Based on past aurora behavior and the latest forecast, peak activity will likely be from about 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. local time. Thank you. In 2006, he founded a local charity in Duluth, Minnesota with the mission of providing financial support to families with children who have life-threatening illnesses. We are planning a trip to Lake Vermilion Ludlows Resort for 2 days Sep 29th and Sep 30th. https://www.365daysofbirds.com/2017/01/25/planning-winter-minnesota-northern-lights-trip/, Planning your Northern Lights trip: Hi, Refer to the Northern Lights PDF to identify which routes are on plowed roads. -Continue on Hwy 53 North over the John A. Blatnik Bridge There is simply no comparison to seeing the northern lights with your own eyes. Copyright 2023 Todd Salat - Aurora Hunter is a registered trademark. Stay tuned! Please bring your enthusiasm for recovery and a willingness to support Narcotics Anonymous in the Northern Lights Area. latest forecast The aurora borealis was visible as far south as Iowa overnight. Love the photos and all the info. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Two nights in a row of aurora can we be so lucky? We are ready to build! Jupiter really grabs the eye. Typically, one would have . You drive 100 miles, stay up late and see nothing. The page is a bit difficult to understand, but just remember these key points: Watches & Warning are good. Follow the link, and learn how to use the tool to move forward in time. "Certainly in some of the suburbs and exurbs and greater Minnesota and Wisconsin, we'll be able to see the Northern Lights," Augustyniak said. "Astro" Bob King is a freelance writer and retired photographer for the Duluth News Tribune. If there was solar activity at a particular time during the past cycle (28 days ago), long term forecasts will predict similar activity when that region of the sun again points at the earth 28 days later. Think of the aurora as more like a relationship, where compromise (clouds, failure to appear) helps us take things in stride. 35387 Northern Lights Trail Richville, MN 56576. If the Northern Lights shine you will need to walk outside and down the hill to cross the lake about 400 yards. Wow, this looks good. Take a look at this shot taken from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. News / Feb 27, 2023 / 11:00 PM CST. -Continue in right lane and bear right (NE) onto West Railroad St. . Ensure that the sky will be clear by checking a weather forecast. Astronomy for Everyone If you see lots of bright colors (reds and oranges), and power readings way above 50 GW, get outside and look north! Watching the northern lights requires no special equipment, just your eyes and if you like, a chair. When indoubt, turn around. With respect to whether the Northern Lights will shine way to early to predict. We are in an RV group with Bill and Phillis and they gave me your site. Minnesotas location makes it one of the best states to view aurora borealis. It pays to stay tuned in. If the lights are going to happen in North Dakota, you don't have to worry about going to a particular area of the state. Cloud, Rochester, and Stillwater are known for hosting an occasional northern light show. Northern Lights Public Schedule. You are always increasing your odds by travelling increasingly further north. Long term Aurora forecasts are NOT reliable, but if you are planning a trip and hoping to optimize your viewing chances, this resource from the University of Alaska is worth utilizing. They have both cabins and a few lodge rooms. Aurora live Prediction. We have a fair chance of seeing northern lights the next few nights as multiple blasts arrive from . I am keen to view the aurora boreal is however I am scared of the spots which are too dark and often in wilderness are too dangerous to be therewild animals,hunters,lootersI would like to know if there is any safer place for public viewing of the aurora borealis? The Northwest Angle is deemed the northernmost point in the continental states which is separated from the rest of Minnesota by Lake of the Woods. Northern Lights Perfect Duluth Day. Check the forecast: Best viewing is found on clear nights with little to no moonlight. This web page lists resources that will help you predict whether the Northern Lights will dance across the skies from 30 minutes to 28 days out from the current time. The man fell from the fourth story of a hotel that was under construction. Please note: These maps are intended for reference only. Experience it like a pro with the hottest deals in the state. CME forecast. He chose the name Northern Lights Foundation (NLF) for this new non-profit organization because his vision was to bring some much needed light into the lives of children and . With a little advance planning, it is possible to photograph the Aurora. Reply. They claim the staff will alert guests if an Aurora shines overhead. Aurora Borealis Forecast and Alerts is an app designed to monitor real-time auroral activity and push alert to let you know if there may be aurora borealis (northern lights) visible tonight. We will be in Grand Portage/Isle Royale in September. Check Ovation frequently through the night as Ovation is updated about every 15 minutes. True darkness occurs about 2 hours after sunset through 2 hours before sunrise. Spring and fall, especially September and March, offer the best chances to see the northern lights here. However, some basic facts for night photography public boat launches on remote lakes which face north are good for the Northern Lights, and south facing for the Milky Way. Thanks to its northern location and dark skies, Cook County is blessed enough to host this miracle. Project Description. All other routes follow directions above. It can be very special, but one needs the proper equipment. It might be tough to see the northern lights in the Twin Cities due to light pollution. Space Weather Prediction Center Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. A favorite, but a bit pricey is Bearskin Lodge. I have been before but I seriously never knew the Aurora Borealis could be viewed from this area. Also, do people camp up there in Feb or March? There is even a great wilderness tavern near by named the Trail Center. Best time to witness northern lights. With the help of local photographer, Bryan Hansel, we have created a comprehensive list of some of the best places to view the northern lights in Cook County, MN. Thanks Rich! Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous. Question and Answer: Why are long term forecasts unreliable, but short term forecasts are decent? Astro Bob: March sky celestial highlights, Astro Bob: Kissing planets! Sometimes the best forecast storms blow by without even touching us. Minnesotans Capture Northern Lights On Sept 4 2022. There's no reason to travel to the Arctic Circle to see Aurora Borealis. Once again, check out the locations in the daytime, and also only pick locations where there are no bright lights, or cities to the north (within 10 miles). Current Hazards. Forecast; Radar; Closings & Delays; . Will the Northern Lights be visible in the summer months? . Grand Ely Lodge (get room facing north). Clear skies are a must for viewing the lights and, of course, staying in a destination for as long as possible will help increase your chances of spying them. The Northern Lights are caused by the interaction of the solar wind a stream of charged particles escaping the Sun and our planets magnetic field and atmosphere. While I understand your concern over wilderness areas, you are actually much, much safer out in the middle of nowhere than a city. Future predicted Kp Index by hour (UTC) 00-03. Thus, if a good Aurora display arises I am perfectly happy being in the woods during hunting season. Experience The Northern Lights In Minnesota Visit Cook County Mn Keep an eye out for this pretty trio. Any place to stay in/near duluth that might be warm to watch for them? My brother and I want to travel to Northern Minnesota in late February or early March. To help you navigate to these locations, we've created some suggested routes using google maps for viewing the northern lights in Cook County, MN. A strong geomagnetic storm will deliver the basic ingredients to produce aurora borealis sightings across Minnesota this weekend. Therefore, sunspots, like those seen on this solar image to the left, are like a giant revolving firehose emitting energy into space for sometimes months at a time. Cloud on the above list are among the top 10 coldest cities in the country. March 17, 2021 10:12am. However, if I were going to visit northern Minnesota and wanted to see the northern lights I would pick on of these two lodges for different reasons. "Astro" Bob King is a freelance writer for the Duluth News Tribune. Duluth, MN 5027 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, MN 55811-1442 218-729-6697 - Duluth; 218-283-4615 - Intl Falls Comments? I hope you have clear skies. The folks at the front desk could arrange dog sled tours, directions to the Bear Research Center, etc. Ovation Model Based Aurora Borealis Forecast. By Jon Waterman It looks highly likely that I will teach a free outdoor / wildlife photography class this Fall in the Duluth area. Viewing the Northern Lights will be not be likely from your actual motel due to limited view to the actual northern skies and the lights from the Lutsen area. Saturn's up and easy to see low in the southeast by 11 p.m. local time, with Jupiter arriving on the scene around midnight. The new location is slated to open in June. This is a very helpful tool for predicting auroras. That said, I'm reasonably confident we'll have a wonderful show. I would never visit my region just for the hope of seeing the Aurora. If Ovation is at 45 GW but trending down, you may wish to stay home. Northern lights above Minnesota Sept. 4, 2022 Amanda Johnson . I feel confident I will get some shots of at least the Milky Way. Cloud cover forecast 1 a.m. Thursday National Weather . A Few Tips for Spotting the Northern Lights. Safety is at the discretion of the driver. richardhoeg@gmail.com says . The Ovation Auroral prediction. Good news on that front, too. The agencys most recent forecast has the geomagnetic action still fairly strong not peak, but not bad between 7 p.m central time Saturday night to 1 a.m. Sunday morning. These were photographed on July 15 just north of Duluth, Minn. . Any help will be much appreciated. About Us. Also avoid areas south of even small towns. Annually occurring sometime between mid-July and mid-August is the Perseid meteor shower. Northern lights over Saganaga Lake. Hi, do you give classes/tours on the Aurora Borealis? 01%. If I were travelling to Lutsen, I might personally go the few extra miles to Grand Marais. . Having said that remember these facts in planning a trip to northern Minnesota in early August. If the power readings rise about 45gw, get outside. https://www.365daysofbirds.com/2017/09/09/optimizing-your-probability-of-seeing-northern-lights/. For 400 years, from the time of Galileo until now, we have been keeping track of the number of these sunspots and, as the trends show in these two graphs, this cycle is predictable. In fact, the weather affects light activity . On Thursday, July 21, we may experience the effects of a coronal hole, a high-speed stream of particles gushing from the sun like a water from a fire hose. I'll update the aurora's progress Wednesday night on my Solar storms are sending multiple waves of energy toward the earth. During the summer months of May, June and July it is just too bright to see them in the far northland. You dont have to travel to the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis. N. America. Kansas City & Oklahoma. First St, Duluth, MN 55802 . Summer skies are quite dark in Wisconsin, so seeing aurora is a possibility. Pay attention to trends (i.e. Every year, explorers, adventurers and artists from around the world travel to Cook Countyto. Unfortunately Northern Lights displays are difficult to predict. If you're up early hunting northern lights, use the map and a pair of binoculars to track it down. Good luck and Merry Auroroa Borealis Christmas. The Northern Lights tend to follow the 28 day solunar cycle. . While that won't pose a threat to power grids and satellites it does mean that folks living as far south as Illinois and Oregon may finally get their chance to see a northern lights show. Northern Lights Driver Education provides driver training to students in Duluth and the surrounding area. First St, Duluth, MN 55802 | (218) 723-5281 . A Quick Timeout Would you like to download a free PDF copy of my latest childrens picture book, Do You Hoot? Here, visitors can see splendid Northern Lights displays and even meteor showers. If the lights start to pop I would still get away from town. Thanks! Which way is best to track Aurora activity? While I do not hunt anymore, please understand that hunting is no different than attending a sports event or concert in a big city a great leisure time activity. MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota is under a solar storm watch for Saturday night, meaning you might be able to see the northern lights. Should be a great time and location. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. DULUTH, MN - Throughout the year, we are treated here in the Northland with one of Mother Nature's greatest visual displays, the northern lights, or, aurora borealis. Learn more about the NLX project; Current status The further north you are the better, but so long as skies clear the northern lights could be visible in all of Minnesota (away from light pollution) Monday night. NOAA's The Northern Lights most commonly appear between 60-75-degree Longitude, making the North Shore a hot spot for seeing the lights. We are into the advance 28 day forecast period for the Aurora, but as noted on this web page the long range advance forecast is notoriously unreliable. True darkness does not arrive till about 2 hours after sundown. Weather Service). Good luck! The later in the month the better for two basic reasons nights get longer which means more time for a possible display, and the closer to the Fall equinox on September 21st the better. Aurora Borealis season in northern polar latitudes (Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Siberia) runs from August-thru-April. This is the fastest way to quickly find out what kind of geomagnetic conditions are to be expected over the next 27 days. The sky is not truly dark except during that period of the night. Skies are very dark. Binoculars will show three additional fainter stars 45, 44 and 42 Capricorni from bottom to top that form an attractive arc just above Saturn. You can reach him at nightsky55@gmail.com. 16 East Hwy 61, Esko, MN 55733. Solar forecasters point their collective finger at a CME (coronal mass ejection) that erupted back on August 14 as the primary cause, amplified by a recent coronal hole, a high-speed wind of material streaming from a gap in the sun's atmosphere. The only essentials are a dark sky to the north with as little city light pollution as possible and clear weather. To help you create the best northern lights experience, we put together our top 8 tips on how to see the northern lights. Thus, while short term forecasting is MUCH better than long term forecasts, it is still problematic. Northern Lights May Be Seen Across U S This Weekend Time. North Shore Visitor: Explore the North Shore of Minnesota. The waning crescent moon rises late and won't bother the show. The winter months of October-thru-February are also good (there is definitely no shortage of darkness!). In addition to the Northern Lights, other celestial events happen throughout the year. This tool is linked from this page. The more sunspots, the more solar flare energy is being released into space (which means more aurora activity!). We have been to Marquette (had too much light pollution) and Hancock, we went to view the aurora but it was terrifying to see there wasnt a soul in that place,Copper Harbour where we went and we werent able to see any lights there at all! Here S Where To Look For The Northern Lights In U On Sunday. Known as a spot to view migrating birds, this ridge offers magnificent views over the entirety of Duluth and is a great spot to see the Northern Lights. In fact, it presents yet another scenic opportunity for skywatchers if you're out late, the moon triples up with Mars the Pleiades star cluster. Thanks again. During the daylights hours when you first get to Ludlows Resort ask their staff if there are any good spots on the lake with views to the north w/o any bright lights near by. Only you can make the determination whether the drive is worth the risk. 3. Nights with lots of moonlight will tend to wash out the aurora. The Aurora Borealis could put on a show in Minnesota Monday night and maybe again on Tuesday. Autumn and spring are often experiencing solar storms so there are more chances to see aurora borealis. It's incredibly brilliant even when close to the horizon. Rochester, MN (KIMT) - Earlier this week, the sun emitted a strong solar flare which has been traveling through space towards the earth. With respect to star gazing (and maybe the Aurora), either Ely or Grand Marais are great towns which are entry points to the wilderness, but even in these towns to best see the stars or any aurora, get out of town.