Michigan Aurora Chasers

About Patrick Grubba

Photo of Patrick Grubba

I am an ordinary individual who takes pleasure in capturing moments. This passion was passed down to me by my grandfather. Through sharing the beauty found in the mundane to the extraordinary, each photograph becomes a tangible memory. My focus lies in appreciating the marvels of nature that surround us, as I document my unique perspective of the world during this journey called life. Retired, I have been an Admin for Michigan Aurora Chasers since November 2021 and volunteer as an astronomer at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park outside Mackinaw City. I caught my first aurora in 1985, in my hometown of Michigan Center, Michigan. I did not know it until the next morning watching the news. I wouldn’t see the lights again until 2017 when we purchased our home outside Mackinaw City. I have been hooked ever since…

Graphic with Aurora that reads Patrick says Get Outside Now!
If you ever see Patrick Grubba post a call to “Get Outside Now”, don’t hesitate or ask questions. Just go! After years of observing the Northern Lights and learning its patterns during substorms, Patrick knows how to identify the expansion phase of the Aurora from his deck in Mackinaw City, Michigan. He issues this exciting call when he sees the signs that Aurora is about to expand high into the sky and push farther south, making sightings possible in dozens of U.S. states and even in other countries located in the mid-latitudes. Now available on shirts and gear!

Achievements:

  • Served on the Ground Support Team for the SolarMax Mission with the Fram2 spacecraft
  • Leads efforts on the Telegram App to provide free Aurora alerts in Michigan
  • Detected the Northern Lights on-camera or stronger over 100 times in 2024

Aurora Photography

Check back to view highlights from Patrick Grubba’s photography and time-lapses!

Selected Events:

  • Beaver Island Dark Sky Sanctuary Adventure: June 20-23, 2025, Guide Patrick Grubba joined the Michigan Aurora Chasers leaders as they hosted three consecutive days of Aurora Chasing on Beaver Island, catching the Aurora three nights in a row
  • MAC Experience: May 30, 2025, Guides Patrick Grubba, Melissa Kaelin, Kris Knutson, Christina Cantu Sharp, Kevin Clark and Pandora Biskner
  • Live Chase: September 12-13, 2024, Sturgeon Bay, Michigan, Hosted by Guide Patrick Grubba, with Guides Nate Stovall and Lisa Parrish
  • Live Chase: July 30-31, 2024, Cross Village, Michigan, Guides Patrick Grubba and Christina Cantu Sharp
  • Statewide Live Chase Celebrating 100K: June 10, 2024, Mackinaw City, Guide Patrick Grubba
  • Live Chase: September 13, 2023, Wilderness State Park Dark Sky Area, Guide Patrick Grubba

Guides Written by Patrick

Show your support! Our Admin Team gives generously of their time, resources and knowledge to help everyone catch the Northern Lights. Even a simple gesture to “buy us a coffee” goes a long way, using our tip jar websites. Most of this goes back into the group.

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