Solar flares enhance the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) by significantly increasing the amount of energy and charged particles that reach Earth's atmosphere.
These flares are intense bursts of radiation from the sun, often associated with sunspots and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
When a solar flare occurs, it releases a large number of electrons and protons into space, which travel toward Earth at high speeds.
As these charged particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field, they are funneled toward the polar regions, where they collide with gases in the atmosphere, such as nitrogen and oxygen
This interaction causes the gases to become excited, resulting in the vibrant colors characteristic of the auroras—greens, pinks, reds, and purples.
The intensity and frequency of the auroras are generally greater during periods of heightened solar activity, particularly around the solar maximum, when solar flares are more common.
As the solar cycle approaches its peak in 2024, scientists anticipate an increase in solar flares, which could lead to more frequent and spectacular displays of the Northern Lights