Stargazers have been treated to numerous displays of the northern lights this year, and this trend is set to continue as the sun has reached its solar maximum, the peak phase of an 11-year solar cycle.

This information was shared by officials from NASA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the international Solar Cycle Prediction Panel during a press conference held on Tuesday.

“At solar maximum, there’s an uptick in sunspots and consequently, solar activity,” explained Jamie Favors, director of NASA’s Space Weather Program. “This surge in activity gives us a fantastic chance to study our closest star, but it also results in real impacts on Earth and throughout the solar system.”

This heightened phase of solar activity is anticipated to last for at least another year, as per NASA’s projections.

Understanding Solar Cycle 25

The sun experiences an 11-year solar cycle characterized by varying magnetic activity that influences the northern lights. Solar maximum is reached when the sun’s magnetic poles flip, leading to an increase in solar flares, which are the most significant explosive events in the solar system. This includes substantial solar storms, like the one in May that was the largest observed by NASA in decades.

Scientists have monitored the sun’s solar cycles since 1755. Recent data indicates that the sun has been in its solar maximum phase for several years already.

“This announcement doesn’t imply that we have reached the peak of solar activity for this cycle,” stated Elsayed Talaat, director of space weather operations at NOAA, during the conference. “Although the sun has reached the solar maximum period, identifying the exact month of peak solar activity could take months or even years.”

Solar flares release radiation primarily in the form of ultraviolet light and X-rays, which travel towards Earth at light speed. In some cases, these flares are associated with coronal mass ejections—clouds of plasma and charged particles emitted from the sun’s outer layer, known as the corona.

These ejections can interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, which protects us from severe space weather effects, leading to geomagnetic storms.

Geomagnetic storms can ignite northern lights

This may seem alarming, especially given the increased chances of disruptions to satellite signals, radio communications, internet connectivity, and electrical grids.

However, a rise in geomagnetic storm activity can also lead to more spectacular northern lights displays.

A significant geomagnetic storm in May caused minor issues with power grids and GPS signals, including disruptions in farming technology. On a positive note, it also provided stunning views of the northern lights in areas where such displays are rare.

The spectacular celestial event occurred after NOAA issued a storm watch for the first time in 19 years for a geomagnetic storm rated G4—just one level below the most intense category. During this phase of solar activity, the sun unleashed its largest solar flare detected since 2017, according to NOAA.

This dazzling phenomenon has been observed in various locations across the U.S. recently and was also notably visible during the August Perseid meteor shower, recognized by astronomers as one of the premier meteor showers of the year.

What leads to auroras?

Auroras are natural light displays in Earth’s atmosphere, prominently observed in high-latitude regions of the northern and southern hemispheres.

These beautiful displays occur when electrically charged particles from space enter Earth’s atmosphere and collide with molecules and gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, leading to an energy transfer. The particles then release energy as light, as detailed by the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which tracks auroral activity.

As the auroras develop, Earth’s magnetic field directs those particles toward the poles, creating a breathtaking spectacle of rays and spirals that has captivated humankind for centuries. The colors seen—green, red, blue, or even pink—depend on the altitude of the collisions, as well as the composition and density of the atmosphere at that moment.

Solar activity will persist into 2025

“Sunspot activity during Solar Cycle 25 has slightly exceeded expectations,” remarked Lisa Upton, co-chair of the Solar Cycle Prediction Panel. “Nevertheless, while we’ve witnessed a few significant storms, they aren’t any larger than what we might see during the maximum phase of the cycle.”

Predicting the timing and location of potential aurora displays remains challenging; however, NOAA provides an aurora dashboard to assist enthusiasts in keeping track of these stunning events.

Star enthusiasts observe the event.