On the night of September 14, the Northern Lights were visible in Lake Placid and throughout the Adirondack Park. The light was mild and shone to the north. Low in the sky, soft green bands with traces of red appeared over the mountains and then faded.
Will Wong ’27 saw the display and said, “I think it was splendid and crazy to see it for the first time.”
It is not common to see the Northern Lights here in Lake Placid, but they do happen. Darker surroundings help. If you look north and give your eyes a moment to adjust, the color becomes easier to notice. Long exposure photos can pick up more light than your eyes, which is why pictures can look brighter than what you see in real life.
On September 14, I took this photo from the Third East dorm between approximately 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. The color was subtle and came and went. Even a quick look at the glow over a familiar place made the night feel different from a normal September evening.
If you want to be ready for the next chance, watch aurora alerts and local forecasts. Clear skies and lower light help. We are fortunate that Lake Placid and the Adirondacks have low light pollution, which can make the sky darker when conditions align. Around Northwood, step outside and move away from bright lights so your eyes can adjust. If you want to go outside, just make sure to ask a faculty member first.
The northern lights can be brief and hard to predict, which is partly why they feel so special. Sept. 14 was one of those nights. The color was quiet but real, and it was rare to see over Lake Placid. The sight did not last long, but it left a strong memory for those who looked up.