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The Sun is a colossal raging ball of heat. Atoms are fused together in its crushing depths, releasing awesome amounts of energy and spewing gigantic flares from its surface. But for the past few years, the Sun has been calmer than usual.

On a dark night, far from the Equator, you might be lucky enough to spot an aurora: a shimmering, colourful glow in the sky. This natural light show has captivated people for thousands of years. While it is mostly associated with cold, dark nights near the poles, auroras have a much brighter, warmer origin: the…