Last year, Vladimir Belakhovsky, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, senior researcher at the Polar Geophysical Institute, published the Aurora Borealis Hunting Guide - a unique collection of useful tips and theoretical information about the auroras. Thousands of tourists come to the Murmansk region for a chance to see this interesting phenomenon, and now they are guided by the advice of a real scientist. The booklet is written in simple language and compiled in the "question – answer" format.
The text of the guide was written by Vladimir Belakhovsky himself, photographs of the aurora are by Valentin Zhiganov, chief technical editor of the editorial and publishing department of the KSC RAS. The editor of the Murmansk Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society website talked with Vladimir Belakhovsky.
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– Vladimir, how did you come up with the idea to create the guide?
– People who are interested in the auroras sometimes contact me and my colleagues . Mostly they are guests of the city, tourist guides, sometimes journalists. This is why I decided to create a guide containing basic information about the auroras in simple language.
– How long did it take to go through all the steps of publishing your guide?
It took me a day and a half to write most of the text. After that, I made some small additions. The guide existed as a PDF-file. We posted it in the social networks of the Polar Geophysical Institute.
After about six months, we decided to design an illustrated booklet and publish it. The guide uses photos made by famous photographer Valentin Zhiganov. He was also the one who created the layout.
– Such a guide prepared by a real scientist is a treasure for a tourist. We know it is possible to buy it in Kirovsk, in Apatity and at the Khibiny airport. Are there plans to distribute the guide further in the region?
– Yes, if there is interest, we are ready to share some copies with souvenir shops, travel agencies, etc. Also, after my popular science lectures, I hand out the guide to the auidience.
– Does the Institute plan to continue its activities in the tourism sector? For example, you can give tours for guests of the region.
– The main activity of our Institute has little to do with tourism. However, sometimes. the staff of the Institute gives tours for schoolchildren and students. Such projects are something we do answering the call of the hearts.
You can buy the Aurora Borealis Hunting Guide in the Lapponica store at the Khibiny Airport, in the Apatit Museum and Exhibition Center in Kirovsk and in the ArtArctic.loft Creative Center in Apatity.