One of the highlights for astronauts who spend time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is the chance to enjoy ...

Although less likely, viewers in South Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine may also see the aurora. The sun sends more than heat and light to Earth — it sends energy ...

"If you are in the right place, these aurora can be quite pleasing to look at," NOAA says. In the U.S., the auroras may become visible in more than a dozen northern states, according to the Space ...

This creates the stunning displays known as the northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, in the Northern Hemisphere, and the southern lights, or Aurora Australis, in the Southern Hemisphere.

Timing, location, and even a bit of luck play a big role in witnessing the aurora borealis, but with solar activity reaching its peak this year, there's no better time to plan your trip.

As the solar activity that causes the aurora borealis is expected to reach the peak of its 11-year cycle in the next year, opportunities to see it are booming via cruises, train trips and tours.