Aural Auroral Encounters

Common sense tells us that the phenomenon of colorful lights in the night skies, known as the aurora, should be seen and not heard. But 'earwitnesses' -- those who've heard the aurora crackle, whistle and squeal -- say otherwise.

Are they really hearing the aurora? Or could they be tuning in to something other than the light show overhead? Casey Grove spoke with University of Alaska Fairbanks professor and aurora expert Dirk Lummerzheim about hearing auroras.

Extreme Dinosaurs

What does an Australian beach have in common with a patch of Alaskan tundra?

Both are on the frontlines of extreme dinosaur research, which has researchers literally looking to the ends of the Earth for clues that the prehistoric animals were more adaptable than once thought.

"Dinosaurs of Darkness," the first exhibit to tell the story of the young field of polar dinosaur exploration, is now visiting the Alaska Museum of Natural History in Anchorage. In celebration of that visit, Alaska Science Outreach takes you into the field to explain the Alaska-Australia connection and explore some of the unique challenges of polar dinosaur exploration. Also look for future exhibit news and activities whenever you see the Dinosaurs of Darkness logo.

>>PART 1: DIGGING IN TO THE TUNDRA - POSTED APRIL 14

>>PART 2: "A GRIZZLY VISITS, OUR LUCK CHANGES" - POSTED APRIL 21

Alaska Part 3: A TUNDRA CLIFFHANGER: 'NOW WHAT?' - POSTED APRIL 30

What Lies Beneath Lake Iliamna?
Large, isolated lake harbors mystery, if no monster

Large, isolated Lake Iliamna is certainly big enough to hold monsters, or monster-sized fish. But so far, all researchers have netted are tall tales. Do you know something they don't?

Science writer Matt Bille writes about cryptozoology, the study of newly discovered, rediscovered, or unconfirmed animal species. In this excerpt from his upcoming book, Shadows of Existence, Bille probes stories of large fish (or some other creature?) that some have reported seeing in Lake Iliamna, near the base of the Alaska Peninsula.

One of his goals in publishing such stories, says Bille, is to add to his own fishing trip -- for information. If you have something to add, the author welcomes input (his e-mail is at the end of the story).

Exploring Corals of the Aleutian Seas

The cruise is completed. Retrace the adventure in our featured expedition: Exploring Corals of the Aleutians.

NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN -- From the deck of the RV Roger Revelle, you can feel the sea air in your face and hear waves crash against the ship. But the ocean researchers I was accompanying for this Aleutian cruise were not out on the deck. They spent most of their time inside, watching TV.

That was, in fact, their job.

The expedition, led by NOAA researchers, set out from Dutch Harbor on July 24 to explore the Aleutian Archipelago seafloor using one of the world's deepest-diving unmanned vehicles, a remotely operated vehicle called Jason II, equipped with collecting arms and -- most importantly for this trip -- video cameras.

Is recordbreaking season a vision of fires to come?

UPDATE: This year's fires continue to burn their way into record books. As of July 30, this is the second largest fire year in Alaska history. Researchers mobilizing to study the effects of this year's fires on climate and atmosphere say it could easily become No. 1.