We did not go the the Arctic Circle today because of snow on the Dalton Highway.
So we started off the day by going to the Museum of The North at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. It is a strikingly modern museum.
We all watched a film about the northern lights, or the aurora borealis. I learned how the the lights appear. The sun has flares that creates a solar wind of electrons. When the electrons hit an atom of oxygen or nitrogen, photons are created that glow. Fairbanks is positioned under the oval where the northern lights are.
There was also a sound room that made music from the earth's movements and the moon phases, and the northern lights. It made me feel like I was in space.
After lunch we drove north to see the Alaska Pipeline. It carries oil from the north slope to Valdez. One million barrels a day move south in it.
We then headed south to see the mountains and are going to take a tour tomorrow into Denali National Park.
Today's Mileage -- 155
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