Something New Is Lighting Up Alaska’s Sky

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Something new is lighting up Alaska’s sky tonight. A brand-new Rayleigh lidar system has just gone active at the University of Alaska’s Subauroral Geophysical Observatory — the same region long used for ionospheric and atmospheric research. This new laser system interacts with oxygen and nitrogen molecules high above us, creating visible scattering effects and unusual sky patterns people across the region are already noticing.

Researchers say the upgraded lidar measures temperature, gas density, and atmospheric structure all the way up into the ionosphere’s D-region — the same area that affects radio signals, auroras, and electromagnetic activity. It’s also now being used alongside HAARP measurements and UAF’s ongoing research into Mount Edgecumbe’s volcanic activity.

In this video, I break down how Rayleigh scattering works, how lidar beams interact with the atmosphere, what this means for sky changes and atmospheric energy, and why so many people feel heightened awareness during strong environmental activity. Then around the 7-minute mark, I shift into practical preparation and grounding steps you can use at home to stay balanced and informed.

https://youtu.be/kYVzD4ToQgk?si=a-XWdbT6eSz5Z0fZ