There have been more spectacular displays of the Northern Lights the past few months than in the previous several years.
Aurorae happen when high energy particles from the sun interact with gas molecules high in our atmosphere. The high energy particles are more common when the surface of the sun is stormier. And while Northern Lights are not tied to Earth’s seasons, the solar particles that cause them are more common during peak periods of the 11-year solar cycle.
The most recent peak was not very active and so it has been many years since there have been so many nights with visible displays of the aurora borealis.
There is no known connection between Aurora and weather here on Earth, although solar storms can cause problems with commercial satellites, cellphone service, and even the electric grid.
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