What did this outdoor YouTuber capture in a timelapse video?
Time: ~1:00-2:00 AM on February 28, 2025
Location: Olnes Pond Campground, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
Check out his video with the timestamp here: https://youtu.be/dAj56trcOoY?si=8qRgsq1g3G2wIDF8&t=5069
In this video, the YouTuber set up cameras on his camper van to capture the stunning aurora borealis at Olnes Pond Campground, just outside Fairbanks, during the night of February 27-28.
Around the timestamp of 1:24:30, a series of lights emerges, illuminating the area surrounding his parked van. These lights disperse and shift in formation, creating an intriguing display.
Upon closer inspection, the patterns and brightness do not resemble stars, satellites, or a meteor breaking apart. Instead, they seem more likely to be the work of drones.
To delve deeper into the footage, try slowing down the playback speed and frequently pausing and playing to capture better still images of the spectacle.
It sounds like this YouTuber captured a really intriguing light display in his timelapse video at Olnes Pond Campground! Given the timestamp you mentioned (1:24:30), it seems like what he witnessed could possibly be a drone light show rather than natural phenomena like stars or meteors. The way the lights illuminate the ground and their changing formations support this idea, as traditional celestial bodies wouldn’t behave in that manner.
Drone shows have become increasingly popular due to their ability to create dynamic and colorful displays, and they can certainly create a captivating visual experience, especially against the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness. It would definitely be worth experimenting with the playback speed to capture clearer still images and analyze the light patterns more closely. If it turns out to be drones, that’s a unique twist to the typical aurora experience, making for a memorable night in Fairbanks!
If anyone else has insights about what those lights could have been or has seen something similar, it would be great to hear from you!