Learn how geomagnetic storms create the northern lights – and why they can be dangerous

The sun has been going through solar cycles for 4.6 billion years, but in May, millions of humans were able to experience an intense burst of solar activity in a way that we've never collectively been able to do before: through our cell phones. But, it's that same piece of technology, along with other vital components of our communication and power infrastructures, that can be at risk of failing in the event a major geomagnetic storm heads towards our planet. It's happened several times in the p