The 9th Annual Aurora Summit is taking shape! We’re excited to bring you an excellent new line-up of presenters and talks in 2026, as we present the Aurora Summit for the first time in Houghton, Michigan. Not only will the Aurora Summit offer new scenery and views for avid photographers, but it will also convene at 47 North in its northernmost location ever!
Mark your calendar! Registration is slated to open on Thursday, June 4th at 7:00pm Central Time, with our Limited Edition Early Bird Rate to save 20% on Full Admission. The Aurora Summit celebrates the art, culture, science and photography of the Aurora, uniting the community in the Great Lakes region of the U.S.
As we gear up for our yearly tradition of opening registration in June, we are also proud to present our talented presenters. Our presenters represent two provinces of Canada, including the Northwest Territories and Manitoba, and six U.S. states, including Alaska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
Our presenters include:
- Keynote Speaker Joe Buffalo Child, CEO of North Star Adventures
- Marc Rassel, award-winning photographer, workshop leader and aurora chaser in Minnesota
- Donna Lach, Researcher, Aurorasaurus Ambassador, Admin & Photographer
- Patrick Grubba, International Dark Sky Park Volunteer & Admin of the Michigan Aurora Chasers
- Vincent Ledvina, Professional Aurora Chaser, Space Weather Expert, Photographer, Author & Tour Guide
- Thomas Oliver, Author, Educator, Wilderness First Responder & Michigan State Park Ambassador
- Richard Montano, Admin, Aurora Chaser & Photographer
- Tanya Melnik, Space Weather Unplugged Co-Host, Admin of Upper Midwest Aurora Chasers, Aurorasaurus Ambassador
- Alan Atwood, Photographer & Aurora Chaser
- Jeremy Cruz, Wildlife & Fisheries Expert, Aurora Chaser & PhotographerÂ
- Paul Schneider, Professional Photographer & Aurora Chaser
- Andy Berry, Pilot & Aviation Forecast Expert
Learn more about our presenters: TheAuroraSummit.com/speakers
Coming to the unique venue of BONFIRE! at the Continental Fire Co., the Aurora Summit will include two panel discussions with one devoting time to enlightening stories of epic failures, more than 10 educational presentations, hands-on camera clinics, a group Aurora Chase, a slideshow featuring your submitted photos, and special programs, as well as trivia, swag and prizes. One lucky winner will receive the Grand Prize, a free ground trip to chase the Aurora in Fairbanks, Alaska in March 2027, from Cosmic Chaos Adventures!
Guests also have the option to attend the add-on, pre-conference program of AS26 Photograph Bootcamp, which will be taught by Milky Way Photographer of the Year Marc Rassel during the day on Friday, November 6, on Michigan Tech’s campus. The bootcamp offers hands-on training and tutorials to help you get dialed in for a weekend of night sky photography. It covers basics and elevates the photography and editing skills of anyone in attendance. This year, the AS26 Photography Bootcamp will highlight Blue Hour Blends/Composites and Stacking.
The Annual Aurora Summit welcomes new sponsors and vendors every year, and the convention is proud to feature many leaders from the Aurora Chasing community. Sponsorship details are available on the website.
The convention is open to the public, and with the caliber of talent in the speaker line-up, it is a great place to start for beginners. The event also offers presentations ranging from beginner to intermediate to advanced. Registration is required to attend, and it includes meals. A hot breakfast will be provided this year at the host hotel, Hampton Inn and Suites. Guests may register anytime before October 1, 2026.
An international convention open to all who enjoy the Northern Lights, the Aurora Summit was co-founded by Dixie J. Burbank, owner of Cosmic Chaos Adventures, and Melissa F. Kaelin, author of “Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora.” The inaugural event was held in Two Harbors, Minnesota in 2017.
Excitement is building for the 9th Annual Aurora Summit, the northernmost Aurora Summit in history! Get in on the action when registration opens at 7pm Central Time on June 4th. When registration opens, you can sign up by clicking the button right on our homepage: TheAuroraSummit.com
Featured photo by Dixie J. Burbank.
Aurora Summit 