I'd like to know if anyone has personally experienced or seen this natural phenomena for themselves. I hope this topic hasn't been discussed before/and is in the right section, but no matter anyway.

Generally speaking, I know how they occur, but it almost seems surreal. I sometimes wonder if they're a figment of a wishful thinker's imagination. Yes, I've googled so called pictures of them occuring, but even with the evidence right in front of my face, I find such a natural occuring beauty in the sky hard to believe.

Also, why do people associate seeing the Aurora lights when the clock strikes 12 on New Years Day? [Saw it on an episode of Arthur when I was a kid. And I've heard this story from other people as well.]

Ahh, input anyone?

No idea about the midnight reference, but I have seen a weak version of them up north. It's real.

It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. It's absolutely real and certainly worth checking out someday if you can.

I had the rare chance of seeing them come down as far as North Carolina once. It was really surreal. One day I hope to see them in Alaska.

And I don't exactly think they are just wishful thinking. The electrical charges produced by the Auroras have actually disrupted communications a few times in the areas near the North Pole.