What causes the aurora boreals?

The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is caused by the interaction between charged particles from the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field. When these particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, primarily oxygen and nitrogen, they excite the gas molecules, causing them to emit light. This phenomenon typically occurs near the polar regions, where the magnetic field lines converge, allowing the particles to penetrate the atmosphere more easily. The resulting shimmering displays can vary in color, with greens, pinks, and reds being the most common.