This is your reminder that this is the best year to see the Northern Lights! The Aurora has an 11 year cycle of intensity and 2024-25 is the peak year (the year before and after will be good too!). Why is Fairbanks, Alaska one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis? Fairbanks is under the “auroral oval” - a ring-shaped region around the Earth's geomagnetic poles where auroras predominantly occur. While the oval grows (remember that aurora last May?!?) it’s always over Fairbanks. September is an especially intense time for auroras, but it’s also a rainy and cloudy time in Fairbanks. Fortunately, we had several great nights of Aurora viewing during our stay and it was magical!