Each winter, thousands of people descend upon Alaska in hopes of catching one of the most spectacular light shows on earth. Steeped in legends and myths that can be found in cultures throughout the world, these brilliant lights are one of our most majestic natural wonders, and certainly, one of the most highly photographed. Their presence gives a sense of the otherwordly to a state that already feels far removed from its 49 other brothers and sisters.

This week, Alaska and The Aurora Borealis: the Northern Lights.