What Is the Aurora Borealis
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a natural light display in the sky caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.
How the Sun Triggers the Northern Lights
Solar flares and coronal mass ejections release streams of charged particles. When these particles reach Earth, they excite gases in the upper atmosphere, producing glowing lights.
Best Times and Places to See the Lights
Auroras are most common near the poles during periods of high solar activity. Dark, clear nights away from city lights offer the best viewing conditions.
Key Facts About Solar-Driven Auroras
Colors depend on altitude and gas type, with green and red being most frequent. Intensity follows the roughly 11-year solar cycle, and auroras can occasionally be seen farther south during strong geomagnetic storms. For background on solar cycles and space weather, visit NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
