Workshop: The Science and Art of Aurora

The aurora borealis is one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomena - and for many, seeing the lights dance across the night sky is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In this presentation, you'll learn about the science of aurora and the art of capturing it with a camera or mobile phone. We'll cover finding dark skies and viewing areas, learn how to read solar activity data, what forecasts are available, and what causes the Northern Lights to appear.

As guides, knowing when and where to see the aurora can turn an already memorable trip into something unforgettable and help manage expectations for your locations. Whether you lead evening excursions, multi-day adventures, or simply wanting to better understand this bucket-list phenomenon, this session will give you the tools to spot opportunities for adding a truly memorable after-dark element to your trips.

Date: June 16, 2025
Time: 6:30 - 8pm MST
Location: Zoom
Professional Interpreter Elective: Non eligible
CPD Hours: 1.5
Instructor: Monika Deviat
Price: $10 (members) / $20 (non-members)

(space is limited so don't delay in registering)

Monika Deviat

Monika Deviat is an award-winning photographer and Nikon Canada Ambassador based in Alberta, Canada. She is not just a photographer, though. Monika is a metalhead, speaker and educator, pole and aerial athlete and instructor, hiking guide, and non-practicing physicist.

Her photography career started in darkness with concert and event photography. In 2015, Monika shifted from shooting stars on stage to stars in the sky. Night photography became her favourite genre, and it goes hand in hand with her landscape and adventure images. Monika doesn't just document moments, she immerses herself in them, often venturing into the wildest, darkest, and most challenging environments to bring back awe-inspiring photos. Monika's photography does not fit into a single niche and she shows her versatility, technical skills, and creative eye across multiple photography genres.

Her work has appeared in various books and publications, including Canadian Geographic, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, BBC Sky at Night Magazine, and CNN.com. Beyond photography, Monika is an engaging educator and speaker, leading workshops that blend knowledge-sharing with memorable experiences. Some of her current projects focus on dark sky preservation, and she has recently presented a BBC radio documentary, Licence to Operate a Space Object, exploring the impact of light pollution on our night skies.

Refund Policy: Refunds will not be issued for any reason (including illness and injury) if cancelling less than 2 weeks prior to the event date. Full refunds, less an administration fee, are available if requested 3 weeks (or more) prior to the event date. For more information, please consult the IGA refund policy.