August 24, 2025 • 28 mins
On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Melissa Kaelin, Author, Aurora Chaser, and founder of the Michigan Aurora Chasers (*MichiganAuroraChasers.com)
Melissa's book is Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner's Guide to Chasing Aurora. Melissa's also the co-founder of the Aurora Summit.
In this full episode, Melissa gave us an update on the latest in Aurora, chasing here in the state of Michigan, plus a preview of the inaugural Great Lakes Aurora Dark Sky Jamboree (GLAD Jam), happening September 11-14 in Houghton, Michigan.
GLAD Jam is a four-day celebration of stargazing, science, creativity, and community in one of the best dark sky destinations in the Midwest. Melissa informed us that the conference is presented by Visit Keweenaw & Michigan Aurora Chasers. She also reminded us that the Aurora Summit will take place this year, from November 7 to 9, 2025, in beautiful Red Cliff, Wisconsin. Melissa launched the first-ever Aurora Summit in 2017 on Lake Superior’s shore in Minnesota. The Aurora Summit features scientists, authors, professional photographers, storm chasers, and community leaders, and presentations range from the history, art, culture, and science of the night sky to Aurora forecasting and photography.
Connect: Melissa F. Kaelin Website
Melissa's Books: Beyond the 45th Parallel, by Melissa F. Kaelin. The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora in the Mid-latitudes, 2nd Edition
Below the 45th Parallel, by Melissa F. Kaelin- The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing the Aurora in the Great Lakes Region, 1st Edition- 2022.
Visit Keweenaw Dark Sky Park
Dark Sky-Light Pollution Map: Topics Discussed:
Melissa's book is Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner's Guide to Chasing Aurora. Melissa's also the co-founder of the Aurora Summit.
In this full episode, Melissa gave us an update on the latest in Aurora, chasing here in the state of Michigan, plus a preview of the inaugural Great Lakes Aurora Dark Sky Jamboree (GLAD Jam), happening September 11-14 in Houghton, Michigan.
GLAD Jam is a four-day celebration of stargazing, science, creativity, and community in one of the best dark sky destinations in the Midwest. Melissa informed us that the conference is presented by Visit Keweenaw & Michigan Aurora Chasers. She also reminded us that the Aurora Summit will take place this year, from November 7 to 9, 2025, in beautiful Red Cliff, Wisconsin. Melissa launched the first-ever Aurora Summit in 2017 on Lake Superior’s shore in Minnesota. The Aurora Summit features scientists, authors, professional photographers, storm chasers, and community leaders, and presentations range from the history, art, culture, and science of the night sky to Aurora forecasting and photography.
Connect: Melissa F. Kaelin Website
Melissa's Books: Beyond the 45th Parallel, by Melissa F. Kaelin. The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora in the Mid-latitudes, 2nd Edition
Below the 45th Parallel, by Melissa F. Kaelin- The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing the Aurora in the Great Lakes Region, 1st Edition- 2022.
Visit Keweenaw Dark Sky Park
Dark Sky-Light Pollution Map: Topics Discussed:
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend. West Michigan Weekend is
a weekly programmed designed to inform and enlighten on a
wide range of public policy issues, as well as news
and current events. Now here's your host, Phil Tower.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
It's iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend. Thank you once again for
tuning in. Don't forget this episode is a podcast as well.
If you are curious about any of our previous episodes,
you can get them all available as a podcast anywhere
you get your podcasts. Just search West Michigan Weekend. We
have over five hundred twenty listenable episodes and we would
(00:41):
love to have you join us. Download an episode and
leave a comment or two. In this segment, I'm pleased
to welcome back a repeat guest. We have to have
her on at least once a year because, just with
checking the podcast statistics, the last time we had Miss
Melissa Kaelin on, she ended up being one of the
(01:02):
top three most downloaded podcasts of the year, and that's
saying something. So we're really glad to have her back.
Author Aurora Chaser, founder of the Michigan Aurora Chaser's website,
Michigan Aurora Chasers dot com and author of two books.
Her latest book is Beyond the forty fifth Parallel, The
Beginner's Guide to Chasing Aurora. And we have so much
(01:25):
to talk about, Melissa Kal and it's great to have
you back on West Michigan Weekend.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Well, Hi Phil, thank you for the worm welcome.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Well, you have been very busy. You were just in
Grand Rapids doing a series of talks through the Kent
District Library and you kept that a secret from me.
So the next time you're back in town, we're going
to have to make sure that we get you involved
with that and you know, let our listeners know about that.
But you've been that, you've been very busy and one
(01:55):
of the we have so many things to talk about.
Let me just give our listeners a tip if you've
ever wanted to learn more about the Northern Lights and
chasing the Its technical name is Aurora borealis. Is that right,
That's right, that's the Latin term. Okay, northern lights, and
this is a big thing. There are now cruises for
(02:17):
the Northern Lights, there are tours, there are dark sky parks.
We have a great dark sky park in what kimonaw Peninsula. Right,
that's one of the great dark sky Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
You know, Michigan is actually home to three international Dark
sky parks. There's another one, the Headlands International Dark Sky
Park in Mackinaw City, and then one down south here,
and we have one International Dark Sky Sanctuary on Beaver Island.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Why what's the okay stop right there? What's a sanctuary
versus a park? What makes me Ryland so special?
Speaker 3 (02:54):
So these are all areas that are certified by the
International Dark Sky Association, and a sanctuary is a step
up from an international Dark Sky park. So these are
some of the darkest guys in the world. And actually
Michigan's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary was founded last year
in twenty twenty four on Beaver Island and we're one
(03:16):
of only about twenty three places in the world in
that certification.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
That's really cool. Have you been to the Beaver Island
Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
I have. Actually, the Michigan Aurora Chasers were invited out
to the island earlier this year and we chased the
aurora and like guided aurora chases on the island. So
it's fantastic. It's another experience, is it.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
In the I know Beaver Island. It's stunning for listeners
who have never been there. It's huge. It's way bigger
than Mackinac Island, and there are five inland lakes on
Beaver Island. It's just it's very remote, but it's very beautiful.
Is it in the center of the island.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, So the International Dark Sky Sanctuary and State Wildlife
Research Preserve is actually on the south end of the island,
and then we did a lot of our aurora chasing
on the north end. You still get amazing dark skies,
but that's sort of where the village lives, and so
you can also get some great breakfast or go out
(04:16):
for coffee, and the views of the Milky Way there
not just the aurora, are absolutely phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Yeah, you're right, the south side of Beaver Island is
very remote, and that would be a great place obviously
a dark Sky sanctuary, and that's what you need to
view the Michigan auroras, the northern lights here in our
great state of Michigan. By the way, we have a
lot of things to talk about. A new glad jam
(04:44):
Great Lakes Aurora Dark Sky Jamboree happening in just a
couple of weeks September eleventh through fourteenth in Houghton, you
can attend presented by Visit Kewanaw and Michigan Aurora Chasers.
We're also going to be talking about the Aurora Summit.
This is an international Aurora Summit. This is the eighth year.
(05:05):
Listen that's correct in red Cliff in Redcliffe, Wisconsin, November
seventh through night. If you want to learn about that,
stay tuned. We'll tell you and we'll give you the
website and everything you need to know. But Michigan Aurora
Chasers dot com. And you spell Aurora just in case
you were driving and don't have something to write this
down with a U R O R A. So Michigan
(05:28):
Aurora Chasers dot com. That's everything you need to know
about chasing the Northern Lights in Michigan. And you were
telling me you now have alerts that people can sign
up for getting alerts on their phone that will say, hey, Phil,
it's a great night to watch the Northern lights.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Is that right? That's right? Yeah. So the Michigan Aurora
Chases have been very busy this year. We've not only
started a mini traveling exhibit that anyone can submit a
photo too, and that's on our website. We've got a
lot of guides up there too to help you learn
how to chase the aurora and some dark sky maps
to help you find those dark skies where you can
see the northern lights. But new this year, we have
(06:06):
an alert system and so using the Telegram app, you
can actually just download this right to your phone and
Michigan Aurora Alerts will ping your phone and it actually
makes this sound and can wake you up when the
Northern lights are out in Michigan, and we have spotters
around the state helping us to spot those northern lights
(06:29):
when they come here. We've even expanded to a regional
service so you can get Great Lakes Region Aurora alerts
and this is all free. You can find information on
our website. But that's a great way for beginners and
advanced folks. They like to know when the aurora are
out because you know, sometimes you're trying to get a
good night of sleep and they pop it four o'clock
(06:50):
in the morning.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yep, that's a great point. I know we've had some
great viewing in the past. We are coming into the
last four months of the year. Melissa Kalin, this is
generally a better time than the summertime for viewing, is
that right?
Speaker 3 (07:07):
That's right. We're headed into peak season for the Northern lights,
which is true around the world. From the months of
September to April. Really we get the best viewing opportunities
because not only because we get so many more hours
of dark skies and nighttime because you need to see
the aurora glow in the sky, and so we need
(07:29):
that night time to be able to see this phenomenon,
but it's also because scientifically, the way that this solar
wind comes from the Sun to our planet, things align
a little bit better during the fall, winter and early
spring season. So from the fall equinox to the spring
equinox is going to be our peak season for chasing
(07:50):
the Northern lights, right.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
And everything you need to know is at Michigan Aurora
chasers dot Com. You've got information there, Melissa, for for newbies,
for novices who are listening to us going. You know,
I keep on hearing about the Northern lights, and now
I have a friend telling me they want to take
me to chase the Northern Lights. What what do I need?
You can, you know, you can really you can really
(08:15):
get attached to these northern lights. I mean there are
people now you can change their lives just to watch
the Northern lights, which is really cool. And this is
in all ages. Yeah, plan of vacation around it. But
if you could talk about the super fan for the
Michigan Aurora and the Aurora Borealis, the Northern lights, catching
(08:37):
the Northern lights is is there a demo you could
put on the average person or is it all ages?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Well, I would definitely say it's all ages. I've heard
stories of kids staying up with the mom and dad
to see the Northern lights late at night, and it
just depends on how much you get wiggle room on
your bedtime. There's you know, we actually think that sometimes
children can see the colors a little bit better in
the Aurora because their eyes are so young and healthy,
and so each person's individual eyesight can actually change how
(09:07):
you experience the lights and the colors. But a demo,
that's hard, hard to put a finger on it. You know,
the people who have more time, the people who travel
more tend to have a little bit more luck. I
know a lot of people who really enjoy it in
middle age or their retirement. But we've got some young
(09:28):
people up and coming to who are just loving catching
this rare natural phenomenon. You know, it's called space weather
when it comes to Earth, and so you can actually
dig really deep into the science and the forecasting and
the photography is just amazing as always.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Yeah, it certainly is. Melissa Kailin is with us author
Aurora Chaser, founder of the Michigan Aurora Chaser's website which
is Michigan aurorachasers dot com, and two great books. The
latest book is Beyond the forty Fifth Parallel, The Beginner's
Guide to Chasing Aurora. Also, the first book was Below
the forty Fifth Parallel from a couple of years ago.
(10:08):
The second book is the updated version of that. Let's
talk Melissa about the Great Lakes Aurora Dyke Dark Sky
Jamboree happening September eleventh through fourteenth in keewan Aw Peninsula.
One of the most beautiful spots in North America. And
I'm I'm not lying. If you've never been there, you're
(10:30):
missing out. And it's incredible for viewing the northern lights.
And it's so cool that you have set this up
with a visit q people. We've worked with them before.
They're good people. This is a four day celebration of stargazing, science, creativity,
and community and one of the best dark sky destinations
(10:51):
here in the Midwest. So who should go to this?
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Yeah? Everyone should come to this. It's going to be
in the Upper Peninsula and Hoton, you know, right as
you enter the Key one of Peninsula. And this is
the first ever we're calling it for Short's the glad Jam,
so hosts as I visit keywent on this. They decided
to bring on three of our leaders in the Michigan
Aurora Chasers to present, and as well as many other
(11:19):
talented speakers, including Meg Schwartz from Great Lakes Great Responsibility.
If anyone's following her, she's she's doing amazing work. But
we're going to have everything from you know, it's it's
really a way to experience not only the dark skies
and the Aurora, but the Great Lakes and so everything
from twilight yoga to observatory tours at Michigan Tech to
(11:44):
there's a meteorites exhibit, and then we'll have speakers talking
about using your camera, viewing the night sky, viewing the
northern lights, talking about dark skies and how they affect
some of our wildlife. We're going to have some light painting,
which is sort of an abstract art form you can
anyone can do in the dark with a few light
(12:05):
ones or light toys. And so this is going to
be a lot of fun for people of all ages.
And I know that Jason Swain is going to bring
out his new Q and a boat tours and we're
going to take one out at night for an optional
dinner cruise. And so there is really a lot going on.
And the cool part is about half of the festival
(12:25):
is free. There are lots of free events, and then
with a paid admission, which is only one hundred dollars
for your ticket and it includes a few meals, you're
going to get to experience everything. And so September eleventh
through the fourteenth is the first ever glad Jam in
the Upter Peninsula. We're really excited.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
How did this all come about, Melissa?
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Yeah, you know, I think that there's a huge movement
for more astro tourism as we call it, you know,
chances to get to experience the night sky, the aurora,
some things like the Milky Way. You can even see
the International Space Station on certain nights if you look
for it or some of these rocket launches that are
going up, and so a lot of people want to
(13:11):
experience the dark Sky that they don't know where to
go or how to do it, or what to look for,
or they just want kind of a curated vacation around
you know, the idea of our night skies. They're so beautiful.
And so just like ke and I reached out to
me and said, hey, you know, do you think that
there's demand for this? Do you think there's interest? And
what can we do? And I told them, well, I
(13:33):
have so many ideas for programming, let's just dive in.
And they were really eager to get this going this year.
So it's looking to be an annual event, the Great
Lakes Aurora and Dark Sky Jamboree, and I'm really excited
to be a part of it. I'll be the keynote speaker.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
This year, right, And the best way for people to
sign up for that is what Yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
So you can find all these events on the Michigan
Urra Chasers dot com website or you can go to
my website kilinart dot com. That's k A E l
I n a r t dot com. And so I've
got all these events listed right on my homepage, and
you do need to register for those paid events in
(14:17):
hot and Michigan, so there's an opportunity to do that there.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Yeah, and there's some of the best dark sky viewing
in uh in all of North America. It's really it's
really stunning. And I love the idea you're doing a
dinner cruise on a boat. That's really cool. It is
just a great place. And again, Michigan Aurora Chasers dot
com or Kailin art dot com. K A E L
(14:45):
I n A r T dot com Melissa Kailin with us.
She is an author, Aurora Chaser, founder of the Michigan
Aurora Chasers website Michigan Aurora Chasers dot com. You were
originally a journalist. I remember that right, And I just
(15:05):
I'm trying to remember from myself, when did this bug
take hold, this thing light a fire inside you, where
this whole Aurora chasing thing became a major part of
your life. And I mean, you're an author, you published
other books, you're a journalist. This is really a cool
(15:27):
kind of curveball that life can throw you sometime, but
it's a curve It's a curveball that you hit all
out of the ballpark, to use a baseball analogy, I mean.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
I mean, that's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
It's been over thirteen years now that I got into
the northern lence, and so when we talk about the
eleven year solar cycle on that solar maximum that was
predicted hit in twenty twenty five, this is my second
solar maximum, and so I've been doing this for over
a decade. You know, it really caught me in such
(16:01):
a personal way when I first saw the aurora photos
that made me stop everything and just think for a
moment and get that sense of wonder. It really was transformative.
I had actually recently lost a family member, or more
(16:22):
than one actually, and so it really struck me. And
I saw these photos of the corona, which are just
these angelic figures right on the front of the morning news,
and I thought, Wow, where can I see this? What
do I do? Where do I go? And the photo
had been taken just in my backyard the night before,
(16:44):
and so all of a sudden I caught the bug
and I learned everything I could. It took me over
a year and a half to see my first Aurora.
We're learning in twenty twenty five that it's not as
easy as it was in twenty twenty four to see
the northern lights because they were so was so active
last year. But once she learned the game and really
(17:05):
the art of finding this in the night sky, it
can be absolutely just there's such a poll this becomes
like an obsession.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Yeah, and you know, what do we know generally speaking,
as we look back at twenty twenty four why it
was such an active year for the northern lights?
Speaker 3 (17:25):
We do you know, scientists were predicting that we were
going to hit the eleven year peak of the solar
cycle in July of twenty twenty five, and that label
in itself is a prediction, and so they've looked back
at the data and they're now telling us that the
peak of the solar cycle hit in the fall of
(17:45):
twenty twenty four, and so that was the height of
eleven years. It sort of ebbs and flows with a
gradual incline and a gradual decline in activity, and we're
now on the gradual decline. This year has been a
little bit quieter than everyone thought it would be. The
year after solar maximum can sometimes be some of the
(18:07):
best viewing in the most dynamic skies. But I'm really
hopeful that the fall equinox and come our peak season,
we will start seeing some incredible aurora. You know, it's
not going to go away completely over this eleven year period,
but it is going to slowly wane a little bit,
and we'll start seeing northern lights that are more limited
(18:28):
to the northern region. So that's north of the forty
fifth parallel, which is a line from Leland to Gaylord
to Alpina in Michigan. That northern area tends to get
the most viewing. But we'll still have northern lights, We'll
still have opportunities, and there will still be surprises, those
big displays that reach so many states.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
And there are good places south of the forty fifth
parallel with dark skies, but as you just said, it's
really important that you can get north of that Leyland
area anytime you're in the Upper Peninsula, especially if you
can find a dark sky area, especially in Keywenaw as
we just mentioned for the glad jam September eleventh through fourteenth,
And one of the things for people to understand is
(19:13):
there is dark sky etiquette. This is not a place
to come park your car and crank out led Zeppelin
as you're sitting there trying to watch the aurora. I mean,
let's talk about some of the dark sky etiquette for
our listeners.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Melissa, Sure. Yeah, you know, you really want to have
a sense of sacy and knowing where you're going at
night because you're not going to be able to see
and you're going to want to turn out any white
flash flights. We encourage people to use a red option
headlamper or a red flashlight at night. This is going
(19:47):
to help you sustain your night sky vision so that
that night vision it's going to help you acclimate to
the dark, is also going to be sure that you're
not interrupting other people or wild bye there. You know,
we think about preserving turtles on the beaches, and of
course there are red lighte laws that help us sustain
(20:08):
that nighttime that they need. And so we do a
little bit similar things when we're aurora chasing. We really
try to limit how much light we're using. Use a
red light option when you can know where you're going,
know this safe. This is going to take for most
people three to four hours of stargazing before you unless
(20:30):
you're really lucky, before you catch your first glimpse, and
so it's going to take patience. So it's not going
to feel like a rock concert, it's not going to
feel like a scheduled TV program. This really takes some
dedication unless you're really lucky, and so be mindful of
other people, you know, think about how scared you can
(20:51):
get in the dark. Sometimes you never know what another
person is feeling. So go out there with the utmost
reset and keep these places clean and dark. Because if
we want to be able to experience these northern lights
in the future at these beautiful spots, we're going to
need to preserve them. So we really encourage people to
think ahead, you know, and be considered as you're going
(21:12):
out into the dark.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Melissa Kailin is with us. She is an author, an
Aurora Chaser, found of the Michigan Aurora Chasers website Michigan
Aurora Chasers dot com. Now we've talked about the Great
Lakes Aurora Dark Skyjamboree, the glad jam happening in the
Kuban of Peninsula, which is September eleventh through fourteenth. You
can go to Michigan Aurora Chasers dot com to learn
(21:35):
more about that. To sign up for that event, which
will be a prime event for learning more about the
northern lights here in Michigan, one of the best opportunities
all year round. And then the Aurora Summit. This was
launched in October of twenty seventeen. That was the first
ever Aurora Summer Summit. It's happening again November seventh through
(21:59):
ninth in beautiful Red Cliff, Wisconsin. This is a stunning
part of the state. It is at Legendary Waters Resort
and it's on the Lake Superior Shore just south of
the Apostle Islands National Lake Shore, which sounds absolutely beautiful.
For people who have never been to Redcliffe, Wisconsin or
(22:20):
the Aurora Summit, why should they attend this?
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Oh, it's stunning. You know. This is just north of Bayfield,
which is known for its festivals and its mural tours.
And Redcliff is actually on Native land, so we actually
are working in partnerships right now with the Native American
Reservation to host this event. And when you get there,
you're not only going to see this beautiful lake shore
(22:45):
in these bays and marinas and historic marinas as well,
but you're also going to see some different signs and
an exhibits about Ojibwe language, you know that Ishanabi language
and culture and so. But it's also it's you know,
as you said, just south of a national lake shore.
And so the Apostle Islands is really beautiful in itself.
(23:07):
We are going to these awesome dark skies and a
beautiful spot to hold the eighth annual Aurora Summit. And
so we know it's a bit of a drive where
you know, whether you take a plane or rental car
or drive your own car, but the reason for that
is getting you to places where you can truly experience
the night and the stars and if they come, the
(23:28):
northern lights. So with the Aurora Summit, we always tell everyone,
if you don't see the Aurora at the Aurora Summit,
you'll leave knowing how to catch it on your own.
It's a three day festival or convention with everything you
can possibly want about the Aurora. We're talking about the
art of Aurora, the culture, the science and the photography.
(23:49):
And we're going to have authors, books, signing, scientific talks,
forecasting photography. For beginners, we're going to study time lapses.
We'll go out on group Aurora chases at night and
there will be panel discussions in trivia and prizes as well,
so it's a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Yeah, and I just did the mapping on this. If
you go from Grand Rapids to Redcliffe with Wisconsin, which
is way up there. Just I got to check this out.
It's just so far up there. It really sounds amazing,
just much like the qye On Peninsula, but it's ten
hours and four minutes from Grand Rapids using the ferry.
(24:29):
Of course, you want to use the Badger of the
Lake Michigan car Ferry and the best way to get
across to manage Wac, Wisconsin and make your way north
to beautiful Redcliff, Wisconsin. And there is a website for
the Aurora Summit as well. What's that, Melissa, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
That's the Aurorasummit dot com. Anyone is welcome. You can
register by October first. The registration includes all meals, your swag,
and the opportunity to win those prizes as well as
all of our programming. And we're really proud this year
to feature international talent Dan Zaffra, who created Capture the Atlas.
He also hosts the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year
(25:06):
competitions and the Milky Way Photographer of the Year competitions,
and we've got a Milky Way Photographer of the Year
twenty twenty four, Mark Raffle coming to give a photography
boot camp on the Friday before. So all that information
is on the website at the Aurorasummit dot com. It's
going to be a fantastic event. And you know, if
(25:27):
you want to see the northern lights, you gotta go north.
So we're going as far north as we can in Wisconsin.
When we first started the Aurora Summit, we held it
all the way up in northern Minnesota, and so it
does move around a little bit, but we're going to
take you to those north skies well.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
And you found a beautiful location in Redcliffe, and I'm
so glad to know that, Melissa. I've got less than
a couple of minutes left. The one that we haven't
talked about, just a couple of quick points. Number one,
if you're not seeing the northern lights, the skies in
these dark skyparks are stunning. I want you to talk
about that real quick and then thirty seconds or less.
(26:04):
On photography. You can shoot the northern lights and the
dark sky at night with your iPhone or your smartphone,
but there are some tips and tricks to that. Do
you have those that information on Michigan Aurora Chasers dot com.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
We do. We've got a new camera note card. You
can get starting settings for any camera. It's Michigan Aurora
Chasers dot Com slash camera or just hop over to
our quick links and so, Yeah, anyone can take photographs
on your phone now if you've got a phone made
within the last three years, or on your digital camera.
And those darkskuys are just amazing. You're not only going
(26:41):
to see the northern lights, You're going to see the
Milky Way. You're going to see so many stars and constellations,
sometimes shooting stars, and these meteor showers and every now
and then we do catch the iss or a rocket launch,
so there's a lot to see. I really encourage people
to get out there at the northern lanes are really rare,
(27:01):
and so when we have clear skys in Michigan or anywhere,
it's a great chance to try to chase those in
the north. Yeah, it takes time and dedication, so check
out the Michigan Aurora Chasers. We're also a group on
Facebook that anyone can join.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Indeed, she is the one and only Melissa kalin author
Aurora Chaser, founder of the Michigan Aurora Chasers website, Michigan
Aurorachasers dot com, co founder of the Aurora Summit and
the website. You just heard us talking about that great
event in November in Redcliffe, Wisconsin, the Aurorasummit dot Com.
(27:36):
I think we have covered it all. Melissa Kalin as
always thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Thank you, it's been a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
Indeed, she's been our guests for this full segment here
of West Michigan Weekend from iHeartRadio. I'm Phil Tower. I
had a lot of fun with you joining us. I
hope you'll do this again next week right here on
this iHeartRadio station you've.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Been listening to Iheartradios West Michigan Weekend. West Michigan Weekend
is a production of Wood Radio and iHeartRadio
This is iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend. West Michigan Weekend is
a weekly programmed designed to inform and enlighten on a
wide range of public policy issues, as well as news
and current events. Now here's your host, Phil Tower.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
It's iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend. Thank you once again for
tuning in. Don't forget this episode is a podcast as well.
If you are curious about any of our previous episodes,
you can get them all available as a podcast anywhere
you get your podcasts. Just search West Michigan Weekend. We
have over five hundred twenty listenable episodes and we would
(00:41):
love to have you join us. Download an episode and
leave a comment or two. In this segment, I'm pleased
to welcome back a repeat guest. We have to have
her on at least once a year because, just with
checking the podcast statistics, the last time we had Miss
Melissa Kaelin on, she ended up being one of the
(01:02):
top three most downloaded podcasts of the year, and that's
saying something. So we're really glad to have her back.
Author Aurora Chaser, founder of the Michigan Aurora Chaser's website,
Michigan Aurora Chasers dot com and author of two books.
Her latest book is Beyond the forty fifth Parallel, The
Beginner's Guide to Chasing Aurora. And we have so much
(01:25):
to talk about, Melissa Kal and it's great to have
you back on West Michigan Weekend.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Well, Hi Phil, thank you for the worm welcome.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Well, you have been very busy. You were just in
Grand Rapids doing a series of talks through the Kent
District Library and you kept that a secret from me.
So the next time you're back in town, we're going
to have to make sure that we get you involved
with that and you know, let our listeners know about that.
But you've been that, you've been very busy and one
(01:55):
of the we have so many things to talk about.
Let me just give our listeners a tip if you've
ever wanted to learn more about the Northern Lights and
chasing the Its technical name is Aurora borealis. Is that right,
That's right, that's the Latin term. Okay, northern lights, and
this is a big thing. There are now cruises for
(02:17):
the Northern Lights, there are tours, there are dark sky parks.
We have a great dark sky park in what kimonaw Peninsula. Right,
that's one of the great dark sky Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
You know, Michigan is actually home to three international Dark
sky parks. There's another one, the Headlands International Dark Sky
Park in Mackinaw City, and then one down south here,
and we have one International Dark Sky Sanctuary on Beaver Island.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Why what's the okay stop right there? What's a sanctuary
versus a park? What makes me Ryland so special?
Speaker 3 (02:54):
So these are all areas that are certified by the
International Dark Sky Association, and a sanctuary is a step
up from an international Dark Sky park. So these are
some of the darkest guys in the world. And actually
Michigan's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary was founded last year
in twenty twenty four on Beaver Island and we're one
(03:16):
of only about twenty three places in the world in
that certification.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
That's really cool. Have you been to the Beaver Island
Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
I have. Actually, the Michigan Aurora Chasers were invited out
to the island earlier this year and we chased the
aurora and like guided aurora chases on the island. So
it's fantastic. It's another experience, is it.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
In the I know Beaver Island. It's stunning for listeners
who have never been there. It's huge. It's way bigger
than Mackinac Island, and there are five inland lakes on
Beaver Island. It's just it's very remote, but it's very beautiful.
Is it in the center of the island.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, So the International Dark Sky Sanctuary and State Wildlife
Research Preserve is actually on the south end of the island,
and then we did a lot of our aurora chasing
on the north end. You still get amazing dark skies,
but that's sort of where the village lives, and so
you can also get some great breakfast or go out
(04:16):
for coffee, and the views of the Milky Way there
not just the aurora, are absolutely phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Yeah, you're right, the south side of Beaver Island is
very remote, and that would be a great place obviously
a dark Sky sanctuary, and that's what you need to
view the Michigan auroras, the northern lights here in our
great state of Michigan. By the way, we have a
lot of things to talk about. A new glad jam
(04:44):
Great Lakes Aurora Dark Sky Jamboree happening in just a
couple of weeks September eleventh through fourteenth in Houghton, you
can attend presented by Visit Kewanaw and Michigan Aurora Chasers.
We're also going to be talking about the Aurora Summit.
This is an international Aurora Summit. This is the eighth year.
(05:05):
Listen that's correct in red Cliff in Redcliffe, Wisconsin, November
seventh through night. If you want to learn about that,
stay tuned. We'll tell you and we'll give you the
website and everything you need to know. But Michigan Aurora
Chasers dot com. And you spell Aurora just in case
you were driving and don't have something to write this
down with a U R O R A. So Michigan
(05:28):
Aurora Chasers dot com. That's everything you need to know
about chasing the Northern Lights in Michigan. And you were
telling me you now have alerts that people can sign
up for getting alerts on their phone that will say, hey, Phil,
it's a great night to watch the Northern lights.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Is that right? That's right? Yeah. So the Michigan Aurora
Chases have been very busy this year. We've not only
started a mini traveling exhibit that anyone can submit a
photo too, and that's on our website. We've got a
lot of guides up there too to help you learn
how to chase the aurora and some dark sky maps
to help you find those dark skies where you can
see the northern lights. But new this year, we have
(06:06):
an alert system and so using the Telegram app, you
can actually just download this right to your phone and
Michigan Aurora Alerts will ping your phone and it actually
makes this sound and can wake you up when the
Northern lights are out in Michigan, and we have spotters
around the state helping us to spot those northern lights
(06:29):
when they come here. We've even expanded to a regional
service so you can get Great Lakes Region Aurora alerts
and this is all free. You can find information on
our website. But that's a great way for beginners and
advanced folks. They like to know when the aurora are
out because you know, sometimes you're trying to get a
good night of sleep and they pop it four o'clock
(06:50):
in the morning.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yep, that's a great point. I know we've had some
great viewing in the past. We are coming into the
last four months of the year. Melissa Kalin, this is
generally a better time than the summertime for viewing, is
that right?
Speaker 3 (07:07):
That's right. We're headed into peak season for the Northern lights,
which is true around the world. From the months of
September to April. Really we get the best viewing opportunities
because not only because we get so many more hours
of dark skies and nighttime because you need to see
the aurora glow in the sky, and so we need
(07:29):
that night time to be able to see this phenomenon,
but it's also because scientifically, the way that this solar
wind comes from the Sun to our planet, things align
a little bit better during the fall, winter and early
spring season. So from the fall equinox to the spring
equinox is going to be our peak season for chasing
(07:50):
the Northern lights, right.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
And everything you need to know is at Michigan Aurora
chasers dot Com. You've got information there, Melissa, for for newbies,
for novices who are listening to us going. You know,
I keep on hearing about the Northern lights, and now
I have a friend telling me they want to take
me to chase the Northern Lights. What what do I need?
You can, you know, you can really you can really
(08:15):
get attached to these northern lights. I mean there are
people now you can change their lives just to watch
the Northern lights, which is really cool. And this is
in all ages. Yeah, plan of vacation around it. But
if you could talk about the super fan for the
Michigan Aurora and the Aurora Borealis, the Northern lights, catching
(08:37):
the Northern lights is is there a demo you could
put on the average person or is it all ages?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Well, I would definitely say it's all ages. I've heard
stories of kids staying up with the mom and dad
to see the Northern lights late at night, and it
just depends on how much you get wiggle room on
your bedtime. There's you know, we actually think that sometimes
children can see the colors a little bit better in
the Aurora because their eyes are so young and healthy,
and so each person's individual eyesight can actually change how
(09:07):
you experience the lights and the colors. But a demo,
that's hard, hard to put a finger on it. You know,
the people who have more time, the people who travel
more tend to have a little bit more luck. I
know a lot of people who really enjoy it in
middle age or their retirement. But we've got some young
(09:28):
people up and coming to who are just loving catching
this rare natural phenomenon. You know, it's called space weather
when it comes to Earth, and so you can actually
dig really deep into the science and the forecasting and
the photography is just amazing as always.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Yeah, it certainly is. Melissa Kailin is with us author
Aurora Chaser, founder of the Michigan Aurora Chaser's website which
is Michigan aurorachasers dot com, and two great books. The
latest book is Beyond the forty Fifth Parallel, The Beginner's
Guide to Chasing Aurora. Also, the first book was Below
the forty Fifth Parallel from a couple of years ago.
(10:08):
The second book is the updated version of that. Let's
talk Melissa about the Great Lakes Aurora Dyke Dark Sky
Jamboree happening September eleventh through fourteenth in keewan Aw Peninsula.
One of the most beautiful spots in North America. And
I'm I'm not lying. If you've never been there, you're
(10:30):
missing out. And it's incredible for viewing the northern lights.
And it's so cool that you have set this up
with a visit q people. We've worked with them before.
They're good people. This is a four day celebration of stargazing, science, creativity,
and community and one of the best dark sky destinations
(10:51):
here in the Midwest. So who should go to this?
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Yeah? Everyone should come to this. It's going to be
in the Upper Peninsula and Hoton, you know, right as
you enter the Key one of Peninsula. And this is
the first ever we're calling it for Short's the glad Jam,
so hosts as I visit keywent on this. They decided
to bring on three of our leaders in the Michigan
Aurora Chasers to present, and as well as many other
(11:19):
talented speakers, including Meg Schwartz from Great Lakes Great Responsibility.
If anyone's following her, she's she's doing amazing work. But
we're going to have everything from you know, it's it's
really a way to experience not only the dark skies
and the Aurora, but the Great Lakes and so everything
from twilight yoga to observatory tours at Michigan Tech to
(11:44):
there's a meteorites exhibit, and then we'll have speakers talking
about using your camera, viewing the night sky, viewing the
northern lights, talking about dark skies and how they affect
some of our wildlife. We're going to have some light painting,
which is sort of an abstract art form you can
anyone can do in the dark with a few light
(12:05):
ones or light toys. And so this is going to
be a lot of fun for people of all ages.
And I know that Jason Swain is going to bring
out his new Q and a boat tours and we're
going to take one out at night for an optional
dinner cruise. And so there is really a lot going on.
And the cool part is about half of the festival
(12:25):
is free. There are lots of free events, and then
with a paid admission, which is only one hundred dollars
for your ticket and it includes a few meals, you're
going to get to experience everything. And so September eleventh
through the fourteenth is the first ever glad Jam in
the Upter Peninsula. We're really excited.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
How did this all come about, Melissa?
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Yeah, you know, I think that there's a huge movement
for more astro tourism as we call it, you know,
chances to get to experience the night sky, the aurora,
some things like the Milky Way. You can even see
the International Space Station on certain nights if you look
for it or some of these rocket launches that are
going up, and so a lot of people want to
(13:11):
experience the dark Sky that they don't know where to
go or how to do it, or what to look for,
or they just want kind of a curated vacation around
you know, the idea of our night skies. They're so beautiful.
And so just like ke and I reached out to
me and said, hey, you know, do you think that
there's demand for this? Do you think there's interest? And
what can we do? And I told them, well, I
(13:33):
have so many ideas for programming, let's just dive in.
And they were really eager to get this going this year.
So it's looking to be an annual event, the Great
Lakes Aurora and Dark Sky Jamboree, and I'm really excited
to be a part of it. I'll be the keynote speaker.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
This year, right, And the best way for people to
sign up for that is what Yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
So you can find all these events on the Michigan
Urra Chasers dot com website or you can go to
my website kilinart dot com. That's k A E l
I n a r t dot com. And so I've
got all these events listed right on my homepage, and
you do need to register for those paid events in
(14:17):
hot and Michigan, so there's an opportunity to do that there.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Yeah, and there's some of the best dark sky viewing
in uh in all of North America. It's really it's
really stunning. And I love the idea you're doing a
dinner cruise on a boat. That's really cool. It is
just a great place. And again, Michigan Aurora Chasers dot
com or Kailin art dot com. K A E L
(14:45):
I n A r T dot com Melissa Kailin with us.
She is an author, Aurora Chaser, founder of the Michigan
Aurora Chasers website Michigan Aurora Chasers dot com. You were
originally a journalist. I remember that right, And I just
(15:05):
I'm trying to remember from myself, when did this bug
take hold, this thing light a fire inside you, where
this whole Aurora chasing thing became a major part of
your life. And I mean, you're an author, you published
other books, you're a journalist. This is really a cool
(15:27):
kind of curveball that life can throw you sometime, but
it's a curve It's a curveball that you hit all
out of the ballpark, to use a baseball analogy, I mean.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
I mean, that's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
It's been over thirteen years now that I got into
the northern lence, and so when we talk about the
eleven year solar cycle on that solar maximum that was
predicted hit in twenty twenty five, this is my second
solar maximum, and so I've been doing this for over
a decade. You know, it really caught me in such
(16:01):
a personal way when I first saw the aurora photos
that made me stop everything and just think for a
moment and get that sense of wonder. It really was transformative.
I had actually recently lost a family member, or more
(16:22):
than one actually, and so it really struck me. And
I saw these photos of the corona, which are just
these angelic figures right on the front of the morning news,
and I thought, Wow, where can I see this? What
do I do? Where do I go? And the photo
had been taken just in my backyard the night before,
(16:44):
and so all of a sudden I caught the bug
and I learned everything I could. It took me over
a year and a half to see my first Aurora.
We're learning in twenty twenty five that it's not as
easy as it was in twenty twenty four to see
the northern lights because they were so was so active
last year. But once she learned the game and really
(17:05):
the art of finding this in the night sky, it
can be absolutely just there's such a poll this becomes
like an obsession.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Yeah, and you know, what do we know generally speaking,
as we look back at twenty twenty four why it
was such an active year for the northern lights?
Speaker 3 (17:25):
We do you know, scientists were predicting that we were
going to hit the eleven year peak of the solar
cycle in July of twenty twenty five, and that label
in itself is a prediction, and so they've looked back
at the data and they're now telling us that the
peak of the solar cycle hit in the fall of
(17:45):
twenty twenty four, and so that was the height of
eleven years. It sort of ebbs and flows with a
gradual incline and a gradual decline in activity, and we're
now on the gradual decline. This year has been a
little bit quieter than everyone thought it would be. The
year after solar maximum can sometimes be some of the
(18:07):
best viewing in the most dynamic skies. But I'm really
hopeful that the fall equinox and come our peak season,
we will start seeing some incredible aurora. You know, it's
not going to go away completely over this eleven year period,
but it is going to slowly wane a little bit,
and we'll start seeing northern lights that are more limited
(18:28):
to the northern region. So that's north of the forty
fifth parallel, which is a line from Leland to Gaylord
to Alpina in Michigan. That northern area tends to get
the most viewing. But we'll still have northern lights, We'll
still have opportunities, and there will still be surprises, those
big displays that reach so many states.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
And there are good places south of the forty fifth
parallel with dark skies, but as you just said, it's
really important that you can get north of that Leyland
area anytime you're in the Upper Peninsula, especially if you
can find a dark sky area, especially in Keywenaw as
we just mentioned for the glad jam September eleventh through fourteenth,
And one of the things for people to understand is
(19:13):
there is dark sky etiquette. This is not a place
to come park your car and crank out led Zeppelin
as you're sitting there trying to watch the aurora. I mean,
let's talk about some of the dark sky etiquette for
our listeners.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Melissa, Sure. Yeah, you know, you really want to have
a sense of sacy and knowing where you're going at
night because you're not going to be able to see
and you're going to want to turn out any white
flash flights. We encourage people to use a red option
headlamper or a red flashlight at night. This is going
(19:47):
to help you sustain your night sky vision so that
that night vision it's going to help you acclimate to
the dark, is also going to be sure that you're
not interrupting other people or wild bye there. You know,
we think about preserving turtles on the beaches, and of
course there are red lighte laws that help us sustain
(20:08):
that nighttime that they need. And so we do a
little bit similar things when we're aurora chasing. We really
try to limit how much light we're using. Use a
red light option when you can know where you're going,
know this safe. This is going to take for most
people three to four hours of stargazing before you unless
(20:30):
you're really lucky, before you catch your first glimpse, and
so it's going to take patience. So it's not going
to feel like a rock concert, it's not going to
feel like a scheduled TV program. This really takes some
dedication unless you're really lucky, and so be mindful of
other people, you know, think about how scared you can
(20:51):
get in the dark. Sometimes you never know what another
person is feeling. So go out there with the utmost
reset and keep these places clean and dark. Because if
we want to be able to experience these northern lights
in the future at these beautiful spots, we're going to
need to preserve them. So we really encourage people to
think ahead, you know, and be considered as you're going
(21:12):
out into the dark.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Melissa Kailin is with us. She is an author, an
Aurora Chaser, found of the Michigan Aurora Chasers website Michigan
Aurora Chasers dot com. Now we've talked about the Great
Lakes Aurora Dark Skyjamboree, the glad jam happening in the
Kuban of Peninsula, which is September eleventh through fourteenth. You
can go to Michigan Aurora Chasers dot com to learn
(21:35):
more about that. To sign up for that event, which
will be a prime event for learning more about the
northern lights here in Michigan, one of the best opportunities
all year round. And then the Aurora Summit. This was
launched in October of twenty seventeen. That was the first
ever Aurora Summer Summit. It's happening again November seventh through
(21:59):
ninth in beautiful Red Cliff, Wisconsin. This is a stunning
part of the state. It is at Legendary Waters Resort
and it's on the Lake Superior Shore just south of
the Apostle Islands National Lake Shore, which sounds absolutely beautiful.
For people who have never been to Redcliffe, Wisconsin or
(22:20):
the Aurora Summit, why should they attend this?
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Oh, it's stunning. You know. This is just north of Bayfield,
which is known for its festivals and its mural tours.
And Redcliff is actually on Native land, so we actually
are working in partnerships right now with the Native American
Reservation to host this event. And when you get there,
you're not only going to see this beautiful lake shore
(22:45):
in these bays and marinas and historic marinas as well,
but you're also going to see some different signs and
an exhibits about Ojibwe language, you know that Ishanabi language
and culture and so. But it's also it's you know,
as you said, just south of a national lake shore.
And so the Apostle Islands is really beautiful in itself.
(23:07):
We are going to these awesome dark skies and a
beautiful spot to hold the eighth annual Aurora Summit. And
so we know it's a bit of a drive where
you know, whether you take a plane or rental car
or drive your own car, but the reason for that
is getting you to places where you can truly experience
the night and the stars and if they come, the
(23:28):
northern lights. So with the Aurora Summit, we always tell everyone,
if you don't see the Aurora at the Aurora Summit,
you'll leave knowing how to catch it on your own.
It's a three day festival or convention with everything you
can possibly want about the Aurora. We're talking about the
art of Aurora, the culture, the science and the photography.
(23:49):
And we're going to have authors, books, signing, scientific talks,
forecasting photography. For beginners, we're going to study time lapses.
We'll go out on group Aurora chases at night and
there will be panel discussions in trivia and prizes as well,
so it's a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Yeah, and I just did the mapping on this. If
you go from Grand Rapids to Redcliffe with Wisconsin, which
is way up there. Just I got to check this out.
It's just so far up there. It really sounds amazing,
just much like the qye On Peninsula, but it's ten
hours and four minutes from Grand Rapids using the ferry.
(24:29):
Of course, you want to use the Badger of the
Lake Michigan car Ferry and the best way to get
across to manage Wac, Wisconsin and make your way north
to beautiful Redcliff, Wisconsin. And there is a website for
the Aurora Summit as well. What's that, Melissa, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
That's the Aurorasummit dot com. Anyone is welcome. You can
register by October first. The registration includes all meals, your swag,
and the opportunity to win those prizes as well as
all of our programming. And we're really proud this year
to feature international talent Dan Zaffra, who created Capture the Atlas.
He also hosts the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year
(25:06):
competitions and the Milky Way Photographer of the Year competitions,
and we've got a Milky Way Photographer of the Year
twenty twenty four, Mark Raffle coming to give a photography
boot camp on the Friday before. So all that information
is on the website at the Aurorasummit dot com. It's
going to be a fantastic event. And you know, if
(25:27):
you want to see the northern lights, you gotta go north.
So we're going as far north as we can in Wisconsin.
When we first started the Aurora Summit, we held it
all the way up in northern Minnesota, and so it
does move around a little bit, but we're going to
take you to those north skies well.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
And you found a beautiful location in Redcliffe, and I'm
so glad to know that, Melissa. I've got less than
a couple of minutes left. The one that we haven't
talked about, just a couple of quick points. Number one,
if you're not seeing the northern lights, the skies in
these dark skyparks are stunning. I want you to talk
about that real quick and then thirty seconds or less.
(26:04):
On photography. You can shoot the northern lights and the
dark sky at night with your iPhone or your smartphone,
but there are some tips and tricks to that. Do
you have those that information on Michigan Aurora Chasers dot com.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
We do. We've got a new camera note card. You
can get starting settings for any camera. It's Michigan Aurora
Chasers dot Com slash camera or just hop over to
our quick links and so, Yeah, anyone can take photographs
on your phone now if you've got a phone made
within the last three years, or on your digital camera.
And those darkskuys are just amazing. You're not only going
(26:41):
to see the northern lights, You're going to see the
Milky Way. You're going to see so many stars and constellations,
sometimes shooting stars, and these meteor showers and every now
and then we do catch the iss or a rocket launch,
so there's a lot to see. I really encourage people
to get out there at the northern lanes are really rare,
(27:01):
and so when we have clear skys in Michigan or anywhere,
it's a great chance to try to chase those in
the north. Yeah, it takes time and dedication, so check
out the Michigan Aurora Chasers. We're also a group on
Facebook that anyone can join.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Indeed, she is the one and only Melissa kalin author
Aurora Chaser, founder of the Michigan Aurora Chasers website, Michigan
Aurorachasers dot com, co founder of the Aurora Summit and
the website. You just heard us talking about that great
event in November in Redcliffe, Wisconsin, the Aurorasummit dot Com.
(27:36):
I think we have covered it all. Melissa Kalin as
always thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Thank you, it's been a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
Indeed, she's been our guests for this full segment here
of West Michigan Weekend from iHeartRadio. I'm Phil Tower. I
had a lot of fun with you joining us. I
hope you'll do this again next week right here on
this iHeartRadio station you've.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Been listening to Iheartradios West Michigan Weekend. West Michigan Weekend
is a production of Wood Radio and iHeartRadio
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Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2
Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.