An Arctic Winter: Northern Lights, Sun Dogs & Sled Dogs

When you combine the words “Arctic” and “winter,” most people conjure up images of a vast, blank white wilderness. While “wilderness” is spot-on to describe much of the Arctic at ay time, the planet’s upper latitudes are anything but “blank” during this harshest season of the year. Both day and night in the Arctic are filled with wonder, as the aurora borealis puts on a dance show on cloudless nights, and clear days can reveal equally fascinating atmospheric phenomena, like sun dogs—two luminous “mock suns” on either side of the real thing. The Arctic environment doesn’t take a pause this time of year! Creatures (including humans) that dwell in the Arctic are especially adapted to the challenges of winter life in these daunting climes, and the science and spectacle of Arctic adaptations are fascinating. Join Court Whelan for a virtual journey through the Arctic in winter, as he presents the science and the splendor of this special time of year in the frozen North.


Originally presented March 2, 2021

Traveler Resources