Northern Lights Might Be Packing Their Bags

If you’ve always wanted to visit Alaska to see the aurora borealis, you’d better hurry. Scientists at the American Geophysical Union meeting last Thursday said that because the Earth’s magnetic pole is drifting away from North America toward Siberia, the Northern Lights might be leaving Alaska’s skies for a new home in Siberia.

“This may be part of a normal oscillation,” said Joseph Stoner, a paleomagnetist at Oregon State University, “and it will eventually migrate back toward Canada.”

Now, this potential event won’t happen over night. In fact, it will take about 50 years, if it takes place at all. But if it does, you can always change your vacation plans to include Siberia or parts of Europe.

The north magnetic pole, first discovered in 1831, has been moving for centuries. Usually it moves between northern Canada and Siberia, but it has sometimes moved in other directions. Why the magnetic poles move is till a mystery.

If you’d rather visit Alaska for the Northern Lights, several companies offer tours. For more information visit:

• www.alaskatours.com/winter/default.htm
• www.iditarodtours.com/iditarod.htm
• www.goalaskatours.com/winteractivities_northernlights.html

Or create your own tour.

For more information about the Northern Lights or the Earth’s magnetic poles, visit:

• www.dced.state.ak.us/oed/student_info/learn/northernlights.htm
• science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/29dec_magneticfield.htm
• www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10388147