What causes the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are caused by the interaction between charged particles from the Sun and Earth’s magnetic field. When these particles, mainly electrons and protons, collide with the gases in Earth’s atmosphere, primarily oxygen and nitrogen, they release energy in the form of light. This light is visible as colorful bands or swirls in the night sky, typically near the magnetic poles. The Northern Lights are most often seen in regions like Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia.