Sunspots are dark, magnetically active patches on the sun; more sunspots usually means a more active sun — and better odds of northern lights. Lines show monthly counts and a 13-month moving average to smooth swings.
Cycle 25, the current cycle we're in, has likely passed its peak and is trending down — northern lights may be less likely, not gone. Cycles 24 and 25 rank among the weakest in the 126-year record.