This year, we have witnessed some incredible aurora phenomena (such as the superstorm in May and recent strong activity in October), but this is just the beginning of some extraordinary northern lights activity. Scientists indicate that 2026-2027 could be the peak time for solar activity and the year of northern lights.
In October 2024, scientists announced that the Sun had reached solar maximum, a phase of heightened solar activity and increased sunspot frequency during the Sun’s approximately 11-year solar cycle.
Aurora activity varies with the solar cycle. (Photo: Juan Maria Coy Vergara).
During the solar maximum phase, the Sun emits more energetic particles as it erupts with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares, which can trigger geomagnetic storms and enhance auroral displays. However, scientists believe that the best auroral activity in this solar cycle has yet to come.
Auroras peak after solar maximum
Space.com spoke with solar physicist and aurora expert Pål Brekke and solar physicist and astronomer Scott McIntosh to learn more about when to expect the highest levels of auroral activity in this solar cycle and how to maximize your aurora hunting efforts.
According to Brekke, auroral activity peaks a few years after solar maximum. This means the best time for viewing the northern lights and southern lights will be during the auroral season of 2026-2027.
Northern lights (aurora borealis) and southern lights (aurora australis) are created when energetic particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere and are directed toward the poles by our planet’s magnetic field.
As these particles are redirected toward the poles, they interact with our atmosphere, depositing energy that causes the atmosphere to fluoresce or emit visible light.
“As mentioned, auroral activity varies with the solar cycle. However, the peak of auroral activity (if you chart the Ap or Kp index) occurs a few years after the solar maximum. Therefore, we will still have a few years of very high auroral activity,” Brekke explains.
