Understanding the solar cycle is key to planning your aurora borealis viewing. Roughly every 11 years, the sun’s magnetic activity fluctuates, marked by the number of sunspots. Fewer sunspots signal a Solar Minimum, periods at the cycle’s beginning and end. Conversely, Solar Maximum, the cycle’s midpoint, boasts the highest sunspot count. This cycle influences the likelihood of auroras, as solar flares and coronal mass ejections—which fuel auroras—peak during solar maximum.
While solar maximum is often touted as the prime time for northern lights due to heightened solar activity, auroras are still visible throughout the entire 11-year solar cycle. Even during the quieter solar minimum, coronal holes can persist, continuously emitting solar wind that triggers auroras. Therefore, focusing solely on the solar cycle phase isn’t essential. Numerous factors, such as weather conditions and cloud cover, play crucial roles in aurora visibility.
To maximize your chances of witnessing the mesmerizing aurora borealis, prioritize being within the auroral oval on clear nights between September and April. While current Solar Cycle #25, which began in 2020 and is predicted to be exceptionally strong, generates excitement with recent intense auroral displays in 2023 and 2024, remember that the northern lights are a year-round phenomenon within the right location and conditions.
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## The Solar Cycle & Solar Maximum
Approximately every 11 years or so, the sun’s magnetic field runs through a cycle of activity correlating to the **number of sunspots** on the surface. At the start and end of the cycle there are fewer sunspots, which is known as **Solar Minimum**, while in the middle of the cycle, known as **Solar Maximum**, the number of sunspots are at their most , finally returning to Solar Minimum to complete the cycle.
The Solar Cycle helps scientists to predict the likelihood of aurora activity, with solar flares and coronal mass ejections also increasing during the cycle. Solar maximum is generally regarded as the better time for viewing the northern lights as there is more activity. However, during the calmer period of solar minimum, corona holes can be long-lived. In other words, the sun is always emitting solar wind so **auroras continue to be visible throughout the entire 11-year cycle solar cycle**.
Our advice is not to get too focused on which part of cycle we are in as there are too many other variables including weather and cloud cover. As long as you’re within the auroral oval on a clear night between September and April, you can potentially witness the northern lights. That said, it’s hard not to get too excited by the buzz around the current **Solar Cycle #25**, which started in 2020. Many scientists are reporting that this solar cycle could be one of the strongest on record, a prediction being played out with incredibly strong auroras in 2023 and 2024.