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Aurora Borealis

A three-panel composite of the sun, an aurora display and Earth, illustrating Solar Cycle 25's link to aurora activity. Image: Created in Canva Pro; aurora photo by Daisy Dobrijevic, via Space.com.

Solar Cycle 25 Is Fading. The Auroras Might Not Be Yet

Solar Cycle 25 hit its peak in October 2024, but the history of two previous cycles suggests the biggest flares — and the biggest light shows — can still be ahead in 2026.

Science  · 20 Jul 2026, 19:34  · Daniel Okafor
Red and green aurora glows above the night sky of Yorktown, Virginia, far south of the usual auroral oval.

What Is the Kp Index? How to Read an Aurora Forecast

Kp is a three-hour magnetism index that aurora chasers borrowed. It tells you whether tonight is worth staying up for, and almost nothing about whether you will actually see the northern lights.

Science  · 9 Jul 2026, 09:30  · Daniel Okafor