By Sarah Schneekloth
Over this past year I was able to witness and enjoy the northern lights multiple times. This awe inspiring sight reminded me of the stories about the lights that my parents told me throughout my childhood; where the lights would dance across the sky and light up the entire area. From their stories I always thought that the northern lights were something special that happened only a few times a year and in the dead of winter. So why have they been so predominant, vibrant, and expansive lately?
After a little bit of research on Space.com, I stumbled on the sunspot cycle otherwise known as the solar cycle. The solar cycle is an 11-year long cycle that is driven by the sun’s magnetic pull and the fluctuations of sunspots. At the end of each of these cycles the sun’s magnetism flips from south to north and from north to south. This flip in the polarity causes activity on the sun’s surface known as sunspots. We are currently in the maximum of the solar cycle right now which is the time when sunspots are most common and at the peak of their activity. These sunspots are one of the main factors behind the northern lights. The solar flare that is expelled from these spots shoots out charged particles that hit against the earth’s atmosphere. The different chemicals in the air are what give the lights their signature colors. When green auroras are visible, it is because the particles are interacting with oxygen at altitudes of 60-190 miles. When you see pink and red auroras it is because they are interacting with oxygen at altitudes of 180-250 miles; this higher altitude level leads to more energy being used because of the high frequency the oxygen needs to be activated. The nitrogen in the atmosphere also lends a hand in these colors. When the polarized particles interact with nitrogen at altitudes of 60 miles or lower you are able to see the blues and purples come through.
These sunspots and solar flares don’t just affect the frequency though; they also affect how bright the northern lights are. This activity is recorded and paired up with a number on the Kp scale which scales the geomagnetic activity of the planet from zero to nine. When the Kp is from zero to two, the aurora will be dimmer, closer to the poles, and very weak. With a Kp of three to five it will start to move away from the poles and become slightly brighter. When the Kp index is from six to seven you can start seeing it from the upper part of the U.S. and it starts to become active and dance across the sky. When the Kp index finally reaches a range from eight to nine it starts to become visible even closer to the equator with bright, vibrant colors that are active and visible by the largest number of people. These past two major northern lights events have been scaled at a Kp of nine in May and a Kp of 6 in October. They were both events with vibrant colors, with bright purple and greens being seen in May and dark reds in October.
The northern lights that were visible on May 7, 2024 were seen in southern Florida and northern India. It is expected that this was one of the strongest auroras in 500 years. The one in October, while not as strong, was seen in Alabama. The reason that the auroras have been so vast lately is the same as the reason why they have been so predominant and vibrant; the maximum of the solar cycle. Since we are entering into the biggest part of the maximum, the solar storms and sunspots are bigger and eject more particles and create more solarwind which pushes the particles further into the atmosphere.
With the colors dancing and lighting up the sky, the northern lights are a special event. Though happening more often right now due to the maximum, they are a treat to see and a special part of the winter. The next time the northern lights come out, look to the sky and enjoy their beauty.
Sarah Schneekloth is a Mabel-Canton High School student, one of 15 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 26th year.
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