Tony Knowles Coastal Trail : Anchorage : Seek The Aurora

Anchorage

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Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It’s known for its cultural sites, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which displays traditional crafts, stages dances, and presents replicas of dwellings from the area’s indigenous groups. The city is also a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains including the Chugach, Kenai and Talkeetna

The northern lights can be seen from September to April with the best viewing in winter.

Credit: Sara Loeffler
Credit: Vasilis Karkalas
Credit: Pixabay
Credit: Tomáš Malík
Credit: Angelica Reyn
Credit: Howard Herdi

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

1%

There is a 1% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Anchorage area (forecast for 13 June 2025 at 8:46pm UTC)

Kp 5.00

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.

Bz -9 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced auroral activity.

Density 18.66 p/cm³

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm³).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm³.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 420.4 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Clouds

17°C Feels like 16°C

High: 17°C
Low: 11°C

Precipitation: 0%
Cloud cover: 18%
Wind: 2 km/h

Moon

Waning gibbous

Sun rises at: 4:21am
Sun sets at: 11:38pm
Moon rises at: 2:20am
Moon sets at: 5:28am

Book an amazing adventure in Anchorage

Free cancellation

Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

4.9 (2694)

6 hours From £149.78

Experience the Big Outdoors and Portage Glacier Cruise! See the amazing beauty that surrounds Anchorage. This special tour does not follow any set route. Nor does it follow a time table. Use your time wisely by going into the wilderness to see wildlife and view glaciers. Summer only: an option, on a 80 ft. cruise ship. (available 11am departure only and May 15 - Sep 15) We follow the sun, the wind and our hearts to navigate your vacation towards the most scenic locations capable for the day of your tour. The Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience includes entrance into the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. During summer you'll have an option to include a glacier cruise on the mv Ptarmigan. Learn about our rich history and see the Ring of Glaciers. This award winning tour can not be replicated by any other service or shuttle. The Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience offers highly trained Guides who's sole purpose is making your vacation memories last a lifetime.
Free cancellation

26 Glacier Cruise and Coach from Anchorage, AK

4.6 (287)

11 hours From £251.70

We make it easy to see it all in one day! Relax on the coach as the driver guide narrates while you enjoy the beauty of Turnagain Arm. On the cruise get ready to view one of the largest concentration of glaciers in Alaska. Weather, ice conditions and wildlife activity changes daily and our captains may adjust the route to provide the best cruise experience while keeping your safety and comfort a top priority. We take pride in ensuring that your time with us is an enjoyable memory that becomes a favorite highlight of your Alaska vacation. We operate first-class catamarans. Due to their dual hull design, these powerful high-speed catamarans are extremely stable and able to smoothly navigate through the narrow fjords and passages that lead us to the face of massive glaciers. By operating safely and efficiently, Phillips provides a comfortable cruise and our No Seasickness Guarantee assures nervous cruisers the confidence that they will enjoy our cruise without any unpleasant effects.
Free cancellation

Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour

4.8 (1150)

1 hour 30 minutes From £37.45

Step aboard Anchorage Trolley’s Deluxe City Tour for a one-of-a-kind adventure that goes far beyond sightseeing. Over the course of 1.5 to 2 hours, you’ll cover 20 miles of Anchorage’s most iconic landmarks, but what sets this tour apart is the storytelling that brings the city to life. Our dynamic guides don’t just recite facts—they share captivating tales of Alaska’s rich history from past to present. At key stops, hop off the trolley with your guide to experience Anchorage up close: Earthquake Park: Explore the landscape shaped by the 1964 earthquake. Lake Hood: See floatplanes take off and land on the water. Ship Creek: Watch anglers and salmon in action. Point Woronzof: take in stunning, panoramic views of Anchorage and capture those picture-perfect moments. Each stop offers a fresh perspective on the city's beauty and history!
Likely to sell out

Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Seward Round-Trip Same Day Return

4.7 (312)

14 hours 30 minutes From £140.80

Departing from downtown Anchorage, the Coastal Classic Train travels south along the rugged coastline of Turnagain Arm, with dramatic views of the Chugach Mountains plunging directly to the sea. At the end of Turnagain Arm, the tracks veer away from the road system into the backcountry wilderness – and what many consider to be the most scenic stretch of the Alaska Railroad, accessible only by train. Watch for views of massive glaciers, steep river canyons, and cascading waterfalls. The train arrives to Seward at 1115 am, allowing plenty of time to explore this charming port town – or opt to take a marine wildlife & glacier day cruise into the nearby Kenai Fjords – before departing on the return journey at 6 pm that evening, arriving back to Anchorage by 10:15 pm.
Free cancellation

Valley of Glaciers Experience with Portage Glacier Cruise and Wildlife Tour

4.9 (201)

8 hours From £168.51

Start your tour with a pick up from your hotel location with one of Alaska's top rated guides. First experience one of Alaska’s most breathtaking drives down the Seward Hwy and Turnagain Arm with a few sightseeing stops at Beluga Point and Bird Point. We will then arrive in the Portage Valley making stops at Explorer Glacier, Middle Glacier and boarding the M/V Ptarmigan for an hour long cruise on Portage Lake viewing multiple surrounding glaciers and majestic landscapes with the main focus on Portage Glacier. We will make an optional lunch stop after the cruise and before heading to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Once we arrive at the Wildlife Center you will be guided through the 200 acre facility where you're guaranteed to see Alaska’s land mammals in their natural habitats and much more! We will then take the drive back and make one last stop at Falls Creek before your drop off at your desired destination in Anchorage.
Free cancellation

Grand Knik Helicopter Tour - 2 hours 3 landings - ANCHORAGE AREA

5.0 (325)

2 hours From £539.20

Our signature flightseeing and glacier landing tour, includes 30 mins of flightseeing and 30 mins landed at 3 Glacier areas including on the glacier itself. This tour includes an alpine landing where you will have 30 mins to see the grand size of the 5 mile wide and 29 mile long Knik Glacier with a birds eye view. Your 2nd landing takes you to a 100 foot ice wall where you may even be able to see the massive ice calve . After 30 minutes exploring you go to the glacier landing right in the middle of Knik Glacier, where you can get out of the helicopter and spend about 30 minutes exploring ancient ice. See the azure blue melt pools (summer), crevasses and ice formations created by water, wind and the sun. During your flight seeing, keep your eyes open for the area wildlife to include Moose, Mountain Goats, Dall Sheep, Bears and even wolf on occasion! WINTER OCT-APR LANDING IS NOT ON GLACIER AS POOLS ARE FROZEN- LANDING IS NEXT TO GLACIER Total tour time - 2 hours, includes 3 landings