Dark Sky Articles
-
Where Have the Fall Solar Storms Gone? A Look at 2026’s Unusually Quiet Autumn Sky
For sky watchers and aurora enthusiasts, September and October have often been some of the most
exciting months of the year. Strong geomagnetic storms frequently occur during the fall season,
producing brilliant northern lights and occasionally disrupting communications, satellites, and power
systems. Yet in 2026, many observers have noticed something unusual: the absence of major solar
storms during a period when they are commonly expected. While smaller solar events have still
occurred, this fall has so far lacked the kind of powerful geomagnetic disturbances that have become
familiar over the past decade.Historically, some of the most significant solar storms have occurred during the fall months. One of
the most famous was the Halloween Solar Storms of 2003, a series of powerful solar flares and
coronal mass ejections that struck Earth between late October and early November. The storms
peaked on October 28-30, 2003, and included some of the largest solar flares ever recorded. The
event caused satellite disruptions, communication outages, GPS interference, power grid problems,
and auroras visible as far south as Texas and the Mediterranean. [en.wikipedia.org], [ncei.noaa.gov]Other major fall events include the September 2017 Solar Storms, when an active sunspot region
unleashed multiple X-class flares and generated strong auroras across North America. More
recently, the May 2024 G5 Extreme Geomagnetic Storm, sometimes called the Gannon Storm,
became the strongest geomagnetic storm since the Halloween Storms of 2003. It produced
spectacular auroras seen across much of the United States and was classified as a G5, the highest
category on NOAA’s geomagnetic storm scale. en.wikipedia.org], https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14835/ , [en.wikipedia.org]
One reason many experts expected strong storms during the fall of 2026 is that geomagnetic activity
often increases near the spring and autumn equinoxes. Scientists refer to this as the
“Russell-McPherron Effect,” where Earth’s magnetic field orientation can make it easier for solar
energy to couple with our planet’s magnetic field. Because of this seasonal effect, September and
October frequently produce impressive auroral displays. iscwsa.netSo why has this fall been quieter? The most likely explanation is that while Solar Cycle 25 remains
active, the Sun’s activity appears to be moving into the early stages of its declining phase. NOAA
and NASA solar cycle forecasts show that solar activity reached or passed its peak around
2024-2025 and is gradually beginning to decrease. That does not mean major storms are
impossible, but it does reduce the frequency of large Earth-directed coronal mass ejections. spaceweather.gov , https://www.nasa.gov/solar-cycle-progression-and-forecast/Another factor is simple luck. Large geomagnetic storms require several conditions to align. The Sun
must produce a major flare or coronal mass ejection, the eruption must be directed toward Earth,
If you enjoy these image, check out our shop page!
We have a wide selection of great products featuring Michigan Aurora and Lighthouses. These make great and unique Christmas presents, for that person that might have everything. Think about their favorite memories or places, give something that inspires them every day.
-
Aurora Hunters Turn to Michigan’s Shorelines as Dark Sky Season Peaks
Seeing the Green Michigan is best state in Lower 48 for Aurora Hunting.
Aurora Hunters Turn to Michigan’s Shorelines as Dark Sky Season Peaks in September and October. The Great Lakes shoreline has some of the best northern‑lights viewing in the Lower 48. Michigan boasts one official International Dark Sky Park, Numerous State Dark Sky Parks and 2 Federal Park, numerous State and local parks all with good views. It also has numerous Lighthouses with northern views. Experienced hunters start heading to Iceland and Norway for Auroras and often overlook, the locations in Lower 48 states. Michigan is better situated with their miles of lake shores around three of the Great Lakes. These Lakes offer, darker views with light pollution than many states.
Headlands Dark Sky Park: Official, But Not Ideal for Auroras
Michigan’s only certified International Dark Sky Park, Is Headlands Dark Sky Park, draws heavy attention from tourists and astronomy groups. The park has worked hard to limit lighting around this area and make it more friendly to Photographers and Astrophotography enthusiasts. Depending on type of photography you want to do it can be a great place to visit. It hosts an Observatory with a host of programs. There is plenty of historical information about Astronomy on facts along the drive.
It is not best for Auroral photography. First the most open area of the park faces west not north. There is a way down to the North Shore, but in winter it becomes inaccessible, due to a steep hill that they don’t keep plowed well. This beach is good as long as it not icy. It as part of Headlands Park requires use of red lights. Which can be problematic if you have 50 people snapping on readlights every few minutes. It makes getting a good shot difficult because you can’t adjust for redlights in your image. This often leaves water and shoreline colored red. Because it is international dark sky park is heavily visited by first time aurora hunters that don’t know what they are doing, which means a lot of red light use. Headlands remains a strong location for Milky Way photography, but seasoned aurora chasers say it’s not the top choice for northern‑lights visibility.
.Don’t despair though there are other areas around Mackinaw that are less used. Or are more frequented by professional Aurora Hunters where you have an easier time. Up by Mackinaw Lighthouse is a good location by keep in mind you will need to do some compensation or bracketing to balance light around the Mackinaw Bridge. There are several location from Downtown where you can get a City view and there is a road side park east of Mackinaw that does have a northern view. I recommend before going to that area, searching Google earth & Maps to find public areas that could be alternatives to Headlands Dark Sky Park.
Crisp Point Lighthouse: Remote, Dark, and Facing North
On the southern shore of Lake Superior, Crisp Point Lighthouse is one of the darkest area’s I have visited. However it is about 20 miles of gravel roads that twist and turn back to the Lighthouse. It can be difficult sometimes to to reach it due to rough roads. It was recommended to me by every local not to try it in the dark at three in the morning alone. I did it anyone and found road well graded and fine as long was you went very slow. I do not recommend drivers try this at night if they are not extremely comfortable with night driving. When I visited I could hear animals in the woods around me. I would caution people afraid of the dark and prone to getting scared easily to be prepared.
Whitefish Point: One of Michigan’s Darkest Accessible Shores
Just east of Crisp Point, Whitefish Point offers another exceptional northern view. The point extends into Lake Superior, giving hunters a clean horizon and some of the darkest skies in the state. This is often more frequently visited. It is more open and not as much wildlife to startle people. there is an outlook directly out on the beach. It most hazardous thing is in the winter don’t step off the packed path. Snow gets deep in this area, particularly in March with the accumulated snow. I have been up there in March and April and plowed snow banks are over car roof tops. Step off packed trail, you could end up hip deep in snow.
Whitefish Point is also easier to reach than many remote U.P. locations, making it a favorite for travelers who want strong aurora potential without extreme backcountry conditions. There is a local hotel on main cross roads that does have a night clerk for late check ins in off season. Main season you will need to book in advance.
Glen Haven: Sleeping Bear’s Hidden Aurora Gem
Along Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore provides high bluffs, and scenic spots through out the park that are excellent Aurora vantage points. These are spread over 50 miles running from Point Betsie Lighthouse to Good Harbor at the North end of the park. In my oppinion they offer some of the most beautiful views in the state. What is unique is areas are all within driving distance so easy to jump from one spot to another during lulls. Giving you more views in a night.
The most recognized views in the park are likely DH Day Barn and Glen Haven. Glen Haven in small storms can be an amazing place to be. You often will meet a few hunters there giving you a chance to meet other Aurora Hunters. Beware though it can become very congested in large storms and people don’t always use common sense when parking. In this area always be aware of road sides and people walking in the dark.
DH Day Barn is Iconic spot people want photos but you should be aware that barn is privately owned and is private property with the fence. I have spoken with the owner in the past. He takes a very dim view of people photographing that barn, though he can’t stop it as long as you are on park property.
Through out the park through that 50 miles you will find a wide variety of interesting topics to shoot beyond Glen Haven and DH Day Barn
Lighthouses are a Favorite for Aurora Photography
Beyond Federal and state parks. Headlands the international dark sky part and the handful of state designated dark sky parks you will find miles of shore line with numerous Lighthouses that can be photographed with Auroras and many inland areas in Northern Michigan great for Aurora hunting. Point Betsie Lighthouse is a lighthouse that is often widely photographed. Convient to Sleeping Bear, it makes a great location to go to. If one area is busy, it is easy to pick a less crowded location.
Old Mission Lighthouse has limited views of the lighthouse, due to how it is situated. But Old Mission has a long shore line to walk and makes for easy location to get away form people. Charlevoix Lighthouse is another good location but there is a trick to shooting it. You must shoot around the green pier light that marks the other side of the channel by either placing pier light behind leg of lighthouse or timing your shot to few seconds that light is out. Empire is a great lighthouse, and is accessable in the winter. Also Empire is handicapped friendly with side walks and paved parking lot.
What Beginners Should Know Before Heading Out
- Check cloud cover first — Michigan gets frequent clouding, particular in winter when lake is not frozen over all the way. Typically Cloud cover breaks with season change around March and remains pretty good through November.
- We can see auroras all year in Michigan but your times big storms are more frequently seen is in March and from Aug 20th through Nov 1st.
- Negative Bz can trigger surprise auroras even on low forecasts. If the BZ is positive watch for the flip in polarity before going to far.
- Avoid bright moon nights for best color. If the storm is bright then moon is actually a help as it will light paint your landscape, giving you a completely different look.
- Patience is requirement. Sometimes you have to wait our the solar storm. It is normal for storms to come before or after predicted. Trick is knowing when it will fall short or out perform predictions.
- Do not walk out on Great Lakes Ice Shelves in the winter they are not stable. It is generally not good to walk on any lakes in winter. You can freeze to death before anyone would have chance to save you. If you insist on being in risky situations then it recommended you use Mustang Gear, which is an insulating winter gear that doubles as a flotation device. They are really warm and if you fall through ice it will hold you up, and stave off hyperthermia for an extra 20 minutes.
- Please read our posts about Aurora Hunting and Basic. to be frank, people have died by stepping out in front of cars. If we are all on the same page on how to behave in the dark and are away of how to be safe it prevents injury.
Like these images?
If you like our images make sure you check out our shop page which hosts a wide variety of products with the Photography of Peggy Sue Zinn and John Hemming on them. We do everything from Lighthouses, Auroras, Lightning, to Tall ships.
-
Guidelines for Aurora Hunting!
Reason for Guidelines.
Guidelines for Aurora hunters helps us develop good habits. These good habits allow us to work together more effectively. Now that many people have cell phones capable of seeing auroras we are starting to have over crowding issues. If everyone is doing their own thing, without thought for others. It becomes like the wild west with no rules. This is when accidents will happen. Trespassing happens, people make costly mistakes. and people miss shots they want.
These Guidelines are a check list. If you do things the same way every time, you brain will develop a routine that you do without thinking about. If we are all following the same guidelines. Then we all develop the same habits. In times when we are over excited about seeing auroras this will kick in, and prevent us from creating dangerous situations, avoid ruining other peoples photos and help you do everything right so you miss nothing
Basic Guidelines
1.    Your eyes will take several minutes to adjust to the darkness, so turn off your car lights as soon as you park. Wait a few minutes before venturing away from your car to give your eyes time to adjust. This makes sure you are not flooding light into other peoples pictures. Most cars work best by turning your headlights straight off and then turn off your car. This will turn off the time delay.
2.    Set your focus by your car. This way, you can use a flashlight without disturbing others who may be shooting. Double-check focus Taking a picture then enlarging an image on the back of your camera to ensure the stars are tack sharp. Not all infinity spots are spot on, you will need to test your lens. Also if you carry painters tap, put it on side of your lens it will prevent it from turning out of focus.
3.    Set your white balance, shutter speed, f-stop, and ISO before leaving your car. This way, you can make minor adjustments in the field without struggling. A shutter speed of 20- 30 seconds, the lowest f-stop possible, and an ISO of 1600 are good starting points. If you need more light, raise your ISO. If you need less light turn down ISO. If your stars are a Comma then reduce your shutter speed. There is a rule called 500 rule to determine ideal setting for your lens.
4. Use a red light when walking to avoid disturbing your night vision. However, use a regular flashlight around other people—normal flashlight light can be corrected in editing, but red light is nearly impossible to fix.
5. Keep all flashlights and headlamps pointed at the ground while walking so you do not bother other people with your light. Aim your light away from anyone you pass to avoid disturbing their night vision or photography.
6. Walk behind people, not in front of them, in the dark. Cameras require long exposures at night, and they may be in the middle of a shot.
7. Be aware of your surroundings so you do not set up in front of someone else. Some photographers may not mind an aurora hunter in their shot, but most do.
8. If you are near other people and need to use a flashlight, call out first and wait for confirmation that shutters are closed before turning it on.
9.    Learn your camera well enough that you do not need a flashlight to adjust your settings. If you know where your buttons are and how to change settings, you can train yourself to do that by touch. LCD screen is bright enough to see what you are changing. Also you may want to reduce brightness of LCD screen on the back of your camera. Left in daylight setting it will make you think your image is more exposed than it is.
10. Make sure you research how to set up histogram in your camera. Learn to depend on it because it always tells you if you are exposed properly. If the hill in your histogram is all the way to the left , then you are to dark. If it is middle to the right then chances are you are to bright. Though my one tip is to shoot 1 stop overexposed at night. You can draw down your highlights a stop in editing, your shadows up a stop. This gives you a wider gradient that is more level between shadows and hightlights.
11. Practice safety in the field. Never leave your wingman until everyone is back in their car and engines are started.
Some Basic Safety
- Park on the same side of the road you are going to. People have been killed crossing the road at night. Avoid doing that at all costs.
- Get a simple reflective vest with pockets at a hardware. This can assure you are seen at night in parking lots or by roads. Pockets can double at way to carry batteries, cards and keys.
- NEVER park on both sides of the road. This creates a tunnel that cars must travel through and leaves them no where to swerve if someone steps out in front of them.
- Respect Park Rules if you are in park respect the rules. If you become a proble by ignoring rules, others will follow and then parks will close areas at night because people aren’t respecting the park.
- Respect Private Property don’t go walking down on private property without permission.
- Don’t walk out into fields without permission. they are private property and you could be costing a farmer money.
- Leave Handicapped parking spaces for handicapped hunters. We do have hunters that do have handicapped and there isn’t enough safe places for them to do, Don’t take space away from the.
- Park in designated parking spots. don’t park on the grass. don’t park in front of signage like stop signs or park notifications.
- Plan ahead with more than one location, so if one place is full there are other places to go nearby.
- If you are traveling a distance, use your groups to try to find a local to meet up with. You are safer using a buddy system and safer with someone that knows the local area.
- Michigan Aurora Hunters https://www.facebook.com/groups/827471430698956
- Wisconsin Aurora Hunters https://www.facebook.com/groups/176764332892448
- North American Dark Skies https://www.facebook.com/groups/Unitedstatesdarkskies
