Chris Ratzlaff is a renowned storm and aurora chaser based in Airdrie, Alberta, and the founder of the Alberta Aurora Chasers community. With over a decade of experience capturing the beauty of the skies, he’s also credited with naming the rare STEVE aurora phenomenon. Chris is a passionate educator and speaker, inspiring others to connect with and protect the natural world through awe and discovery.

Chris Ratzlaff Festival Sessions

Chasing the Elusive

What makes the aurora dance? How can you predict when it will appear? In this illuminating presentation, Chris Ratzlaff demystifies the science and strategy behind aurora forecasting. As a passionate aurora chaser and founding member of the Alberta Aurora Chasers, Chris has helped thousands of skywatchers learn to read space weather and anticipate northern light displays with confidence.
Chris walks through the key tools and techniques used in aurora prediction—breaking down solar wind data, magnetometers, real-time satellite feeds, and geomagnetic indicators. Learn how to interpret aurora models, spot the signs of incoming activity, and make informed decisions about when to hit the road in pursuit of the perfect display.
Packed with practical insights, visual examples, and a few wild stories from the field, this session is ideal for photographers, skywatchers, and anyone who’s ever looked up and wondered when the lights will return.

[Book Chasing the Elusive with Chris Ratzlaff Here]

Capturing the Night

Step into the stillness of the night and uncover the secrets behind breathtaking dark sky photography with Chris Ratzlaff, a leading figure in Canada’s aurora and nightscape photography scene. In this immersive presentation, Chris shares practical techniques for capturing stunning images of the night sky—from the glowing ribbons of aurora borealis to the silent sweep of the Milky Way across Alberta’s remote landscapes.
Learn how to master your camera settings in low light, choose the right gear for varying night conditions, and plan your shoots around solar activity. Chris also dives into post-processing tips to bring out colour, contrast, and detail while keeping images true to the experience of the night.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your technique, this session is packed with real-world advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and a deep passion for preserving and celebrating our vanishing dark skies.

Chris recommends bringing a camera and tripod. If you are bringing a smart phone
to use as a camera, please also bring a tripod adapter. Here is a example: https://joby.com/ca-en/griptight-360-phone-mount-jb01730-bww/)

[Book Capturing the Night Here]

The Power of Community with Chris Ratzlaff

Chris Ratzlaff talks about the importance of community and how his work with the Alberta Aurora Chasers has helped to build a strong and supportive community of aurora enthusiasts. He shares his strategies for growing communities, fostering collaboration, and creating opportunities for education and outreach.
Throughout the presentation, Chris emphasizes the importance of conservation and responsible tourism, urging his audience to appreciate and protect the natural world. With stunning visuals and engaging storytelling, this presentation is sure to inspire and captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're a seasoned aurora chaser or simply curious about the Northern Lights, Chris's presentation offers a unique and unforgettable perspective on one of nature's most captivating phenomena.

[Book The Power of Community Here]

The Story of STEVE
What started as a curious ribbon of purple light in the night sky turned into a global scientific discovery—and a viral sensation. In this fascinating presentation, Chris Ratzlaff shares the incredible story behind STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), the mysterious aurora-like phenomenon he helped identify and name.
As one of the core members of the Alberta Aurora Chasers, Chris takes audiences behind the scenes of the moment community skywatchers spotted something unusual—and how a group of citizen scientists worked with researchers to prove it was something entirely new. Blending science, photography, and the power of collaboration, Chris unpacks what STEVE is (and isn’t), how it’s formed, and what its discovery means for our understanding of Earth’s upper atmosphere.
Complete with stunning imagery, personal anecdotes, and real-time data comparisons, this talk is a must-see for anyone fascinated by space weather, the aurora, and the unexpected ways science can unfold right in your own backyard.

[Book the story of STEVE Here]

See all Festival Sessions [Here]