The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) occurs when charged particles from the sun—the solar wind—interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. These particles are funneled toward the poles, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the ionosphere. These collisions release energy in the form of spectacular, colorful light displays in the night sky. ANSWER: (B) Interaction between solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field
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This phenomenon is a visual manifestation of space weather. The Earth’s magnetosphere protects us from most solar particles, but near the magnetic poles, some particles penetrate the atmosphere. When these high-energy electrons strike atmospheric gases, they “excite” the atoms. As the atoms return to their normal state, they emit photons. Oxygen typically produces green and red light, while nitrogen creates blue and purple hues. The intensity of an aurora is directly linked to solar activity; during a “solar maximum,” the lights can sometimes be seen much further away from the poles than usual.
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