We’re still glowing over May’s auroras, and are excited to welcome those around the world who have newly fallen in love with the Northern and Southern Lights! One of the questions we have been receiving is, “where can I learn more?” Bibliophiles, we’ve got your back. In 2022, we wrote a post about some aurora books we read and used for training. Since then, more have come out—including some written by and for aurora chasers. In this update, we share a few things we are reading, as well as new guides. This is a tiny fraction of the resources out there, and we will plan to share more as we continue to read through our libraries.
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Spirits Dancing: The Night Sky, Indigenous Knowledge, & Living Connections to the Cosmos, with photography by Travis Novitsky and text by Annette S. Lee. Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society
In this book, photographer Travis Novitsky and astronomer Annette S. Lee explore the human connection to the Northern Lights, the Milky Way, and the wonder of the universe above us. We always appreciate opportunities to learn about Indigenous knowledges about the aurora. Spirits Dancing shares Western science, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota, Ininew, Dene, and Dinè perspectives. The book also discusses humanity’s relationship with the sky and aurora: “The sky defines our humanness and connects us through the millennia to people past, present, and future” (p.2). The verbal narratives are illustrated with beautiful photography by Travis Novitsky, who also shares photography insights. |
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Below the 45th Parallel: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing the Aurora in the Great Lakes Region by Melissa F. Kaelin. Publisher: Self-published
Aurora chaser Melissa Kaelin founded the Michigan Aurora Chasers and cofounded Aurora Summit, a conference by and for aurora chasers. In this approachable, beginner-friendly book, she shares her advice for the sometimes tricky process of chasing aurora at mid-latitudes. |
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A Beginner’s Guide to Aurora Chasing: 2nd Edition by Vincent Ledvina. Publisher: Self-published
Vincent Ledvina is an aurora chaser who is currently studying aurora science at the graduate level. This 64-page e-book provides an introduction to aurora chasing, with a focus on North America, as well as beginner-intermediate level explanations of some of the science behind the aurora. |
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Fox Fires, Book One by Emila Ojala. Publisher: Bottlerocket!
Project Manager Laura enjoys webcomics, and has been following Fox Fires for much of its run. The story, based in Finnish folklore, follows raccoon dog Raate and her animal friends as she searches for the missing Northern Lights and the fox, Repo, whose burning fur generates them. The webcomic recently started releasing print volumes in addition to the free web version. |
This is just a tiny sample of the many books about auroras. What are your favorites to curl up with? Do you prefer watching video resources? Whether it’s an off season summer break in the Northern Hemisphere or a chilly day with a storm on the way in the Southern Hemisphere, there’s always time to learn more about auroras!
