Welcome to the Michigan Aurora Chasers! On this page, you’ll find content to take you beyond your first chase into a world of Northern Lights from yours truly, Founder Melissa F. Kaelin.
The more we grow as a community, the more we hope to do! Want to see more Live Chases, free talks and opportunities? Use our tip jar websites or support us in other ways. Most of the funds we raise go back into the group!
BY THE NUMBERS: Take a look at everything we created for the community in 2025! Browse The Year in Review!
About the Founder
So many adventures, so little time! Let me share a few high-level highlights about who I am, what I’m passionate, and what I do!
- Created the Michigan Aurora Chasers on January 20, 2021
- In 2017, co-Founded the annual Aurora Summit: Celebrating the Art, Culture, Science & Photography of the Aurora (an Aurora convention!)
- Wrote the book “Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing the Aurora in the Mid-latitudes,” available at Michigan’s International Dark Sky Parks, as well as Schuler’s Books, Amazon, indie stores and more
- Speaker, community leader, travel blogger, YouTube personality & more
- Writer at heart, poet and emerging novelist
- Columnist for Amateur Astronomy Magazine
- Helped create the first-ever Great Lakes Aurora & Dark-sky Jamboree
- Aurora Expert for the University of Michigan Alumni Association
You can read more about me in the bio on my official website, or dive in and join us as we chase the Northern Lights. I’m honored to have helped thousands of people see the Aurora for the first time!
Featuring Your Talents!
Congratulations to our Michigan Aurora Chasers, who by volunteering to share their photography with the world, have been featured in highly-acclaimed presentations on the Northern Lights!
Coming in 2025:
- Traveling Exhibit
- Dark Sky Sanctuary Adventure on Beaver Island
- Detroit Festival of Books: Melissa F. Kaelin’s Table
- Planetarium Show at Longway Planetarium, August 1st
Browse the links below to view the archived presentations.
Astronomy at the Beach: Great Lakes Association of Astronomy Clubs
Maybury State Park
September 20-21, 2024
• View Friday Night Presentation (Google Slides)
• View Saturday Night Presentation (Google Slides)
Celebrating the Art, Culture, History and Science of the Aurora
Longway Planetarium: First Fridays
August 2, 2024
• View the PDF
Iceland and the Northern Lights, U-M Alumni Association
Hotel Kea Meeting Room, Akureyri, Iceland
November 7, 2024
• View the Presentation (Google Slides)
• Download the Presentation (PDF)
Melissa’s Quick Links
- My Favorite Aurora Chasing Hacks: KaelinArt.com/aurora/
- Aurora Chasing in the U.S.: An Advice Blog
- Aurora Chasing in Your Backyard: YouTube Video Tutorials
- The Story of an Aurora Chaser: A Biography, with suggested groups
- Reach Out! Book a program or talk
- Get the latest: linktr.ee/mfkaelin
- Original Michigan Aurora Chasers webpage hosted on my website:
KaelinArt.com/michigan-aurora-chasers/
Meet the Founder: A Video Celebrating 100K
Inspired by Night Sky Wonders & Mythology
A born writer, my goal has always been to use my gift for the written word to inspire people. It wasn’t until I was 27 years old, that I realized that gift would also lift our eyes to the wonders of outer space. Over the years, I’ve developed a portfolio of work to encourage, teach, and inspire.
As time allows, I will post some of my favorites on this page. You can find more on: KaelinArt.com
Find Inspiration
Learn more about the Aurora Summit, the 45th Parallel Series, and Melissa’s writing, travels, and exploration of space and science writing on her blog.
What Kind of Aurora Chaser Are You?
New Book! Beyond the 45th Parallel
The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora in the Mid-Latitudes
Featuring Two Michigan Aurora Chasers!
Get in on the expanded and refined Beginner’s Guide! I’m excited to present the 2nd Edition of my bestselling book, “Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora in the Mid-Latitudes.”
In a professional collaboration, the cover art features two Michigan Aurora Chasers whose work I hand-selected for this project. Not only can you enjoy their beautiful photography on the front and back cover, but you can also read their own biographies inside.
I’d like to share my heartfelt thanks to the Cover Photographer Shannon Kivi of 906 Images, and Photographer Michele Aucello for partnering with me to publish these photographs featuring both the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the lower peninsula at the 45th Parallel! I so appreciate you both sharing your amazing images!
With seven new chapters, refined content, and new tools for Aurora forecasting, the 2nd Edition of my book “Beyond the 45th Parallel” is now available online and in stores. Click here for wholesale information.
Michigan Aurora Chasers 