What causes auroras near the poles?

Auroras near the poles occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. These particles are funnelled toward the polar regions by Earth’s magnetic field. When they interact with oxygen and nitrogen at high altitudes, energy is released as colourful light displays, typically green, red, or purple. Auroras, such as the Northern and Southern Lights, are most visible during periods of high solar activity.