Northern Lights

Auroras are beautiful light displays visible at night, caused by solar particles colliding with Earth's atmosphere. Solar wind, consisting of charged particles from the Sun, is directed towards Earth's poles by the magnetic field. These particles excite atmospheric atoms, releasing photons of light. The color of the aurora depends on the type of atom struck, with oxygen producing green and nitrogen producing blue or red. Auroras are best seen at the poles and can occur on other planets as well.

Describe the process that leads to the creation of a photon of light during an aurora.

Where is the best place on Earth to see auroras and why?