What are shimmering lights in the polar regions called?

Shimmering lights in the polar regions are commonly known as the auroras, specifically the Aurora Borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and the Aurora Australis in the Southern Hemisphere. These natural light displays occur when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, creating vibrant colors in the night sky. The phenomenon is most visible near the polar regions due to the concentration of the Earth's magnetic field lines.