Astronomy and spaceflight - Cosmic events - Northern lights - Atmospheric phenomena
What creates the mysterious glow of the northern lights?
Correct!
The Sun constantly sends electrically charged particles into space. When these particles interact with Earth's magnetic field, they are guided toward the polar regions. There they collide with oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere, causing the gases to glow.
The color of an aurora depends on which gas is struck and at what altitude. Oxygen usually produces green light, but sometimes red light as well. Nitrogen can produce blue or violet hues.
Source: NASA Science
