According to scientists, this is only the beginning, with the lights being at their brightest and most visible in 20 years during the next 18 months.
According to NBC News, NOAA scientist and University of Colorado at Boulder researcher Mark Miesch predicted that activity would increase gradually .
NBC, strong magnetic sunspots trigger space weather disruptions that result in aurora borealis (the northern lights) and aurora australis (the southern lights).
Some of the particles are sent hurtling into space, with some of them eventually descending to Earth, where they impact with the atmosphere .
Space Weather Prediction Center, the ensuing light can take many different forms in the sky, including the characteristic curtain waves.
The longer the night goes on, the more room the rays have to elongate, twist, and sway.
According to NBC, the amount of sunspots measured can provide insight into the intensity and distribution of the lights.