He wanted to photograph the northern lights. Now his Facebook page has taken off

When Chris Verge created a Facebook group dedicated to chasing the aurora borealis in Nova Scotia in 2018, he had no idea how many people would eventually join him in the hunt. 

This weekend marks one year since hues of green, pink and purple danced in the skies above Atlantic Canada. The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is an unfamiliar sight in this region, but has been visible several times in the past year due to increased solar activity. 

The radiant light display, usually reserved for more northern regions, has stirred interest in some Nova Scotians eager to view them again. They are flocking to Verge's Facebook group to share their night sky predictions

Like many, Verge, who lives in Debert, N.S., used to think he would need to travel north to see the aurora borealis. But he saw them for the first time in Malagash Point, N.S., 11 years ago. 

He remembers how thrilling it was. "You could see it with your own eyes and you could see the movement," he said. 

He also remembers how he regretted not bringing his camera.

That sighting motivated Verge to create his Facebook group. People pool information to give a better idea about when the lights might be visible. People also share tips for taking better pictures. 

The Nova Scotia Aurora Chasers Facebook group has now surpassed 47,000 members, many of those members having joined since last May. 

"I still can't get over how many are in that group now," Verge said. "Every time there is a big aurora storm, a bunch more folks join the group. First-timers take their aurora pictures and it's kinda proven that anybody, anywhere in the province can see it."

Jason Dain joined the group last summer. He had taken up photography and was able to view and capture the natural phenomenon in 2022 at Martinique Beach. 

"The whole sky was lit up and … it was reflecting in the water behind the beach," Dain said. "It was pretty magical."

He said he's learned a lot about the northern lights since joining the group.

"So I think it's good to help people see them and help them get that spark the same way that I did," he said.