Aurora activity is just getting started. Here's why the best northern lights are yet to come.

A person stands on a dark beach under a vibrant display of green and blue northern lights, which streak across the sky in a dynamic, swirling pattern. A large, rugged rock formation rises nearby, adding to the dramatic scene.

There's no doubt we've been treated to some remarkable aurora shows this year (the May superstorms and the recent strong activity in October spring to mind) but what if I told you this was only the beginning of some incredible northern lights activity?

In October 2024, scientists announced that the sun has reached solar maximum, a period of heightened solar activity and sunspot frequency that occurs during the sun's approximately 11-year solar cycle. During the solar maximum period, the sun emits more energized particles as it erupts with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares, which can trigger geomagnetic storms and intensify aurora displays. Now that solar maximum is underway, it's understandable that many declare THIS is the year for the northern lights. However, scientists believe the best aurora activity in this solar cycle is still to come.