Discover the Northern Lights
Look up for an incredible light show!
Every year, people travel thousands of kilometers just to see the one-of-a-kind phenomenon that is the northern lights…but this year, they could be coming right to you, here in Southern Ontario! Thanks to solar conditions that only happen every 11 years, the northern lights (also known as the aurora borealis) are expected to be more active, brighter and visible farther south than usual, with peak activity expected early this fall.
Discover their phenomenal science, why we’re paying extra attention now and the secrets of their colours.
The Science of the Northern Lights
Learn how to maximize your chances of spotting the northern lights.
Explore more resources to uncover the science of the northern lights.
Additional Resources
Rachel Ward- Maxwell, Staff Astronomer at the Ontario Science Centre, is living and working at Killarney Park from September 1-7, 2025, and she’s blogging about it all. Follow along as she shares her routines, discoveries, and what it’s like to track the northern lights.
Life as an Astronomer in Residence