Every 11 years or so, the Sun’s magnetic poles flip, at which time the cycle of solar activity reaches a maximum. This is when there are a lot of sunspots that eject charged particles out to Space. We are currently at the solar maximum phase of this 11-year cycle, and since charged particles heading our way get trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field and cause the aurora, we are currently in a period when active Northern and Southern Lights are more likely. Greater activity means the Lights can be seen from lower latitudes than at other stages in the solar cycle. This is why Kees Neve (Member 57,271) was able to spot them. His Northern Lights peeked through gaps between Cumulus, Stratocumulus, and Altocumulus clouds over Leiden, Netherlands – much further south than the aurora typically appears. If you are just out of the usual latitudes for the aurora, this could be your year.