The Southern Lights reach their peak intensity during the 'Solar Maximum' every 11 years.

The solar cycle is driven by the Sun's magnetic field, which flips entirely approximately every 11 years. This process is monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA through the tracking of sunspot counts. Solar Cycle 25 began in December 2019, and experts originally predicted it would peak in July 2025. However, recent observations of increased solar activity suggest the peak may occur sooner and be stronger than initially forecasted.During the Solar Maximum, the Sun emits more Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). These are massive clouds of plasma and magnetic fields that travel through space at millions of miles per hour. When these particles strike Earth's magnetosphere, they are funneled toward the poles. They collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen in our atmosphere to create the light displays known as auroras.The Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, specifically reacts to these high-energy particles by glowing in various colors. Green is the most common color and is produced by oxygen molecules located about 60 miles above Earth. Rare red auroras are produced by high-altitude oxygen at heights of up to 200 miles. During intense solar storms, the 'auroral oval' expands, allowing the lights to be seen from lower latitudes such as Tasmania and the southern coast of mainland Australia.