By Lindsey Doermann, NASA Earth Observatory December 20, 2023December 17, 2023A spate of solar activity produced widespread auroras across Canada.A flurry of solar activity in mid-December 2023 sent out energized particles crashing into Earths magnetosphere, producing undulating auroras across northern latitudes of our world. Interactions between these expulsions from the Sun and the upper atmosphere of Earth produce light that makes up vibrant aurora displays.The Suns Increasing ActivityThe Suns activity is ramping up as it approaches the peak of solar cycle 25, forecast to take place in or around July 2025. Researchers track variations in solar activity in part by monitoring the number and place of sunspots– dark blotches on the Suns surface area that are the main source of solar eruptions.Aurora and Solar Flare ConnectionThe aurora seen here occurred several days after the greatest solar flare of this solar cycle so far.
