2024 has offered spectacular light shows to millions of people worldwide with astonishing auroras. Usually visible in the Poles, Aurora Borealis (northern lights) or Aurora Australis (southern lights) have recently wandered far beyond these locations.    

While auroras are seen at night, the Sun is actually the origin of this phenomenon. Like on Earth, the Sun also experiences storms. According to NASA, these storms generate solar flares (explosions) and coronal mass ejections (gas bubbles). Particles from these will then travel through space with solar winds and eventually reach our planet, outlines Vincent Ledvina, PhD student and aurora chaser. 

Tom Kerss, astronomer and Hurtigruten’s chief aurora chaser, explains that when solar winds approach Earth, the magnetic field – Earth’s shield – will protect us by redirecting the particles towards the Poles. The particles will then meet gases in our atmosphere, creating different colours. Kerss reveals, “Oxygen releases both red and green light. Nitrogen produces a mixture of blue and red light”. Ledvina adds, “[Green] is the most common colour of aurora” while “Blue aurora is uncommon”. 

Image Credit: Photo by Tom Kerss; provided by Tom Kerss, astronomer, Hurtigruten’s Chief Aurora Chaser & author.

This year, auroras have gone beyond the Poles, allowing Europe and other continents to witness these lights dancing in the sky. This exception is due to a higher solar activity known as the 11-year solar cycle, which began in 2019. Currently at its peak – solar maximum – the Sun is producing more explosions and gases, increasing solar winds. More particles then come into our atmosphere, creating auroras at lower altitudes. Ledvina points out auroras are a natural phenomenon and are not linked to climate change.

According to NASA and NOAA, more auroras worldwide are expected as long as the Sun remains at its peak. It is still unknown when this solar cycle will end. Kerss predicts, “We may be looking at 3 or 4 years during which aurora-chasers will be treated to more memorable displays”. Nonetheless, auroras are harmless to humans, so step outside and enjoy the magnificence of these natural lights!

Image Credit: Photo by Tom Kerss; provided by Tom Kerss, astronomer, Hurtigruten’s Chief Aurora Chaser & author.