Northern lights may be visible across parts of the US this weekend. Why are they so active right now?

The activity of the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, is largely influenced by activity on the sun. Specifically, they are often more active following periods of high solar activity. When the sun goes through a period of increased activity, it sends out a greater number of solar flares. These flares emit charged particles which travel to the Earth’s magnetosphere. When they collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere, they generate vibrant light displays, what we know as the Northern