GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When the solar wind reaches Earth it sends a flurry of charged particles into the magnetosphere and along Earth’s magnetic field lines, towards the poles. The interaction of these particles with Earth’s atmosphere can produce glowing aurora displays above polar regions.

Detailed explanation-2: -The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are created when electrically charged particles from the sun enter the Earth’s atmosphere. These particles are guided by Earth’s magnetic field to the poles, where they collide with atoms and molecules of gas in the upper atmosphere.

Detailed explanation-3: -Earth is largely protected from the solar wind, a stream of energetic charged particles emanating from the Sun, by its magnetic field, which deflects most of the charged particles. Some of the charged particles from the solar wind are trapped in the Van Allen radiation belt.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the ionosphere, the ions of the solar wind collide with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen from the Earth’s atmosphere. The energy released during these collisions causes a colorful glowing halo around the poles-an aurora.