The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are one of nature’s most incredible wonders to behold. And one of the best places on earth to witness this magical phenomenon is Churchill, Manitoba – known as the “polar bear capital of the world” and one of the premier destinations for northern lights chasing.
But to have the best possible viewing experience amidst the beluga whales and arctic foxes, there are some key mistakes you’ll want to avoid during your Churchill Manitoba Northern Lights adventure. Follow this guide so your northern lights vacation goes off without a hitch!
1. Not Checking the Forecast
The dazzling Northern Lights are produced when particles emitted from the sun collide with molecules and atoms in Earth’s mesosphere. This means their visibility is heavily reliant on recent solar activity and clear skies overhead.
Before departing for Churchill, carefully monitor the weather conditions and the Kp-index, which measures geomagnetic disturbances that indicate potential northern lights visibility. This will give you the best idea of your chances to see the auroras shimmering and dancing across the night sky during your stay.
2. Failing to Escape the City Lights
To enjoy the northern lights in all their grandeur, you need to get away from any light pollution given off by cities and towns. Churchill is remote, but stray lights from homes or businesses can still obscure your aerial display.
Venture out into the forests, tundra, or down to the shore of Hudson Bay after nightfall to maximize darkness for optimal aurora viewing. The further you can get from any artificial light sources, the better chance you’ll have of seeing the lights in their full, dazzling glory.
3. Not Dressing Warmly Enough
Even if you visit Churchill during peak solar activity streams, you still may need to wait patiently outside for the lights to appear. That means bundling up in your warmest winter woolies!
The frigid air blowing off Hudson Bay drives temperatures down below 0°F (-18°C) at night. Protect yourself with thermal underlayers, heavy insulation, gloves, hats, face masks, and the warmest boots you own so you can withstand the cold while the auroras slowly unveil themselves.
4. Failing to Pack a Tripod/Camera Gear
One of the biggest mistakes is not bringing the right photography equipment to capture the magical lights as they dance across the dark sky. The latest DSLR cameras can take long-exposure shots of the Northern Lights, but only if you have a stable tripod on the icy terrain.
Slow shutter speeds are required for those glowing portraits, so no hand-held selfies! Invest in a sturdy, heavy-duty tripod along with a remote trigger or cable release to minimize blurring for frame-worthy images. Don’t forget those spare batteries and memory cards either in the extreme Arctic climes.
5. Not Having Reasonable Aurora Expectations
While Churchill offers your best shot at viewing the auroras, there are no guarantees that fluctuating solar winds will produce a big show on any given night. And even if you do catch the lights shimmering overhead, they may only be faint or fast-moving. Meteorological factors can diminish the timing and intensity of each display.
Come with an open mind and dose of realism about the fickle nature of the northern lights. Not every evening sky will erupt in dazzling bursts of green, purple and red across the stars. But during each long arctic night, there’s always the possibility of aurora magic!
Conclusion
A trip to frosty Churchill, Manitoba to catch the spellbinding Northern Lights Canada Tours is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just be sure to avoid these common mistakes that could hamper your front-row seat to the celestial showcase.
