Scientists have updated their forecast for the current solar cycle, which usually lasts about 11 years. Solar activity is now expected to peak earlier and to be stronger than previously thought.
A previous forecast predicted a geomagnetic storm happening Wednesday and Thursday, but the sun's activity has greatly weakened over the past few days.
An article suggests the natural light show starts when disturbances on the sun pull on Earth's magnetic field, creating cosmic waves that launch electrons into the atmosphere to form the aurora.