What causes the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are caused by the interaction between charged particles from the Sun and the Earth’s magnetic field. When these particles collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere, the energy released causes them to glow, creating the colorful light displays. The colors of the aurora depend on the type of gas involved, with oxygen producing green and red hues, and nitrogen creating purples and blues. The aurora is most visible in high-latitude regions near the Arctic Circle during geomagnetic storms.