Dr. Yosuke Kamide has been one of the world’s foremost experts on aurora borealis for over 20 years. In Japan, Dr. Kamide served as Director of the Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory (STEL) at Nagoya University, Japan’s leading institution for aurora studies. Internationally, Dr. Kamide is recognized for his contribution to research at Geophysical Institute at University of Alaska in Fairbanks, Alaska.

As the author of numerous books and guidebooks introducing aurora to the general public in Japan, Dr. Kamide established a foundation of knowledge in Japan that has substantially contributed the success of aurora tourism worldwide. This commitment to education and outreach over his career has made “aurora” an everyday word in Japan, and has established Dr. Kamide as a founding father of aurora tourism, which has attracted thousands of visitors to Yellowknife each year and contributed millions of dollars annually to the northern economy for over 20 years.

Polaris (Northern Star) Award

On March 3, 2011, Yellowknife aurora fans enjoy the presentation “In Conversation with Dr. Yosuke Kamide,” at the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre in Yellowknife. Following his talk, Dr. Kamide was recognized for his valuable contributions to aurora research, space science education, northern sky outreach, and aurora tourism in the Northwest Territories and around the world. Awards were presented by Astronomy North President James Pugsley and Yellowknife Deputy Mayor Mark Heyck. Special thanks to Dr. Kamide from Aurora Village (and aurora operators past, present and future), Northwest Territories Tourism, the City of Yellowknife, and the Northern Frontier Visitors Association.