I've been luck enough to catch them a few times when I was working in Alaska. An amazing site to see.  Wanted to share this pic with you folks.  This was taken in the State capital, Juneau.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20030429/450juneau.jpg

That is soooo cool Race. I know the pic probably doesn't do it justice. I haven't witnessed them myself-YET, but I keep hoping.




Cat

I have always wanted to go to Alaska just to get a chance to see the Northern Lights.  I can't imagine what it must be like the first time you see them.  So far the closest I have come to seeing them is in pictures like that one (cool picture too), but one day I hope to actually see them in person.  

Race-

That is such an awesome picture.  I've never been to Alaska, but hope to make it there one day.

That is a gorgeous picture Race, thanks!  :)

oooooo!   Pretty!!!!

That is a wonderful pic, Race.

I've always wanted to visit Alaska, and this just renews all my reasons why.

Awsome picture Race! you should enter it in some contests! (provided you took it)  ;D

Wow, I've never seen the Northern lights like that!

But I have seen them in streaks up in the Northwest Territories (although it was just a pic).

Thank you for the thanks. :)
The last time I saw it in person was incredible, colors of red, orange, blue, and green were in constant mixing and swirling motion. Honestly, it was similar to an LSD visual.
I recommend anyone who can visit Alaska to be sure and do it.  Southeast Alaska, (Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Craig), Prince William Sound (Cordova, Valdez, Seward), and the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai, Soldatna, Homer) are amazing places to visit.  Even if you don't see the Northern Lights, there is so much more.  

When my Dad was in the R.A.F he was based in Canada for a while and he said they flew through them a few times and it was one of the most amazing experiences he'd had.I've only seen them as a simulation in the zoo in Seatle.  

Fantastic picture Race!

I would just love to see the northern lights.... ;)

Can't see them from here though  :D :'(

That must be a beautiful surreal experience.  Maybe one day in this lifetime I can witness it.  Thanks for sharing that picture with us.

I've had the luck of seeing them twice. Both times we were driving home from gigs and actually pulled the vans over so we could just sit and stare...they are amazing to view.

I'v seen them twice.  OH MAN, what a show.  The colors weren't that fantastic either time, mostly white, but the display, the moving curtains of light, were innnncredible.  Living in the northern reaches, I hope to see them again.  From my boat would be GREAT, but that would mean that we were on deck at night, when mostly we are below, engaged in "other matters" (like canasta  ;))

I used to see them all the time back in the '70s and I live in the south! ;) 8)
Seriously, one of the only times they were visible this far south (Virginia) in recorded history, was the night before the battle of "first" Manassas in the civil war. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, being a deeply religious man, took this as a divine message. (Just a little history from "Biff the Buff" ;D)

Wow - what a seriously awesome photo !!

My mum has seen the Southern Lights 4 or 5 times in her life.  Once on the east coast and the rest here on the west coast.  I have never seen them ever.

Actually, now that I think about it, I also saw the southern lights.  I was in a small town near Punta Arenas, in southern Chile.  We also saw the Southern Cross.  And, on a tourist cruise, the Balmaceda glacier.  And the "torres del Paine".  Man, that was a trip!!!!