Curtis is jazzed. He'd rather see the northern lights than a meteor shower any day and there hasn't been a photographable aurora storm in a month. The aurora was in its prime this fall but cloudy weather in October and November blocked the view. It's the longest period of time Curtis has gone without shooting the aurora during peak season. In early fall and late winter conditions concerning solar winds that affect the aurora are at their best.
Solar winds impact the Earth and react to gases near the Earth's magnetic at poles .
The aurora forecast that night promised a moderate but not intense display. He's caught the attention of music producers, textbook publishers and electric company executives, all who have borrowed or bought his aurora photographs. He has even had a request from a family asking to use his images on a memorial Web site. Canadian painter Glen Scrimshaw was inspired enough by Curtis' work to incorporate it into his own. Jan Curtis' top 10 Web sites 1.