Aurora Secrets: A Love Story With The Northern Lights with Melissa Kaelin (08-24-25)

On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Melissa Kaelin, Author, Aurora Chaser, and founder of the Michigan Aurora Chasers (*MichiganAuroraChasers.com)

Melissa's book is Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner's Guide to Chasing Aurora. Melissa's also the co-founder of the Aurora Summit.

In this full episode, Melissa gave us an update on the latest in Aurora, chasing here in the state of Michigan, plus a preview of the inaugural Great Lakes Aurora Dark Sky Jamboree (GLAD Jam), happening September 11-14 in Houghton, Michigan.

GLAD Jam is a four-day celebration of stargazing, science, creativity, and community in one of the best dark sky destinations in the Midwest. Melissa informed us that the conference is presented by Visit Keweenaw & Michigan Aurora Chasers. She also reminded us that the Aurora Summit will take place this year, from November 7 to 9, 2025, in beautiful Red Cliff, Wisconsin. Melissa launched the first-ever Aurora Summit in 2017 on Lake Superior’s shore in Minnesota. The Aurora Summit features scientists, authors, professional photographers, storm chasers, and community leaders, and presentations range from the history, art, culture, and science of the night sky to Aurora forecasting and photography.

Connect: Melissa F. Kaelin Website

Melissa's Books: Beyond the 45th Parallel, by Melissa F. Kaelin. The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora in the Mid-latitudes, 2nd Edition
Below the 45th Parallel, by Melissa F. Kaelin- The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing the Aurora in the Great Lakes Region, 1st Edition- 2022.



Visit Keweenaw Dark Sky Park

Dark Sky-Light Pollution Map: Topics Discussed: