❓ why

Why do auroras happen near the poles?

AstronomySpace weather

Quick Answer

Earth’s magnetic field funnels charged particles from the solar wind toward the polar regions, where they collide with gases in the atmosphere.

The Full Story

Auroras occur when energetic particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s upper atmosphere. Because Earth’s magnetic field guides many of those particles toward the magnetic poles, the brightest displays usually appear at high latitudes. Collisions with oxygen and nitrogen make the gases glow in colors such as green, red, and purple. The best-known auroras are the aurora borealis in the north and aurora australis in the south.

Key Facts

1.Driven by solar wind particles
2.Guided by Earth’s magnetic field
3.Colors come from oxygen and nitrogen

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"Why the sky glows green near the poles."