What causes the aurora borealis?

The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, is caused by the interaction between charged particles from the Sun and Earth’s magnetic field. These particles, mostly electrons and protons, collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to release energy in the form of light. The colors of the aurora depend on the type of gas involved, with oxygen producing green and red hues, and nitrogen producing purples and blues. The aurora is most visible in high-latitude regions near the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.