QUESTION: I am considering a trip to the northern latitudes next year to view the Aurora Borealis displays. Do you know a good place to see them?
ANSWER: A destination that has been growing in popularity is Fairbanks, Alaska. Large numbers of visitors from the lower 48 states, the Far East and Europe have made the displays the region's newest attraction, says the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau.The Northern Lights, as they are known, are widely accepted to be light patterns produced by charged electrons and protons that strike gas particles in the upper atmosphere. The colors range from green to red to purple, with the brightest and most common color a yellow-green.
The lights can be seen in Fairbanks itself, but the best viewing is done away from the interference of the city lights. Arrangements can be made through the bureau to be taken to a resort outside the city, spending a few hours watching the lights before being brought back again. It is also possible to combine the viewing with a week or more's stay at a resort, many of which offer skiing, hot pool bathing and even mushing dog teams.
The Chena Hot Springs Resort, 57 miles east of Fairbanks, offers a good viewing location, as well as winter sports and hot pool bathing. Another place free of interference is Chatanika Gold Camp, a historic site with lodgings 26 miles north of Fairbanks.
The Skiland Lodge, near the Gold Camp, is also a good viewing site, but it does not offer accommodations. Other sites include the Circle Hot Spring Resorts, 134 northeast of Fairbanks, and Manley Hot Springs Resort, 180 miles west of Fairbanks.
For more information contact the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau, 550 First Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701; (800) 327-5774.
QUESTION: I am interested in renting a small furnished apartment in or near Dublin for a week or so next year. Can you help me?
ANSWER: The Irish Tourist Board has just what you are looking for: a 264-page booklet called "The Ireland Self-Catering Guide."
The booklet is available free of charge from the Irish Tourist Board, 757 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018; (212) 418-0800.
QUESTION: In the late fall I will be traveling to Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand and Fiji. What will the weather be like?
ANSWER: In all your Australian destinations the highs will range from the mid-60's to the low and mid-70's, with average precipitation ranging from 2.9 inches in Sydney to 1.9 inches in Canberra.
In Fiji the highs will be in the low 80's, with average precipitation a comparatively whopping 8.3 inches in October to 9.8 inches in November.
New Zealand will present two different faces. In Christchurch, on the South Island, highs will average 62 to 66 degrees, with precipitation at around 1.8 inches. Temperatures in Auckland, on the the North Island, will be about the same as Christchurch's, but precipitation climbs to an average four inches.