Solar activity refers to the phenomena occurring on the sun's surface, including sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.
Solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun, interacts with Earth's magnetic field, creating geomagnetic storms.
CMEs are huge plasma and magnetic field outbursts from the sun's corona. They boost geomagnetic activity when directed toward Earth, making Northern Lights more frequent and intense at higher latitudes.
Solar flares are sudden, intense bursts of radiation from the sun's surface. When accompanied by CMEs, they can enhance the brightness and extent of auroras, making them visible at lower latitudes than usual.
Scientists use various tools, including satellites and ground-based observatories, to monitor solar activity and predict auroral displays.
The Northern Lights are most commonly observed in regions near the magnetic poles, such as Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Iceland.
The dance of the Northern Lights across the night sky is a breathtaking reminder of the interconnectedness of our solar system.