wondering what causes the northern lights!?

Answer 1

It's actually called an "aurora". An aurora results from the emission of light radiation after magnetospheric particles collide with atmospheric molecules.

In more general terms, there are a series of invisible belts that surround Earth called Van Allen Belts. These belts are trapped within the magnetosphere and thus trap magnetospheric particles. However, around the northern and southern pole some of the particles escape and come in contact with the atmosphere. As a result, a light show occurs.

The Northern Lights are scientifically known as Aurora Borealis
The Southern Lights are scientifically known as Aurora Australis

Answer 2

Northern lights is the name of a light phenomenon often seen in the northern regions. The lights have been around since Earth formed an atmosphere -the dinosaurs saw it, early humans saw it and our descendants will se it. The scientific name for the phenomenon is “Aurora Borealis”, aurora for short.
Northern lights is a result of our atmosphere shielding against solar particles which would otherwise make our planet uninhabitable

Answer 3

The aurora is now known to be caused by electrons of typical energy of 1-15 keV, i.e. the energy obtained by the electrons passing through a voltage difference of 1,000-15,000 volts. The light is produced when they collide with atoms of the upper atmosphere, typically at altitudes of 80-150 km. It tends to be dominated by emissions of atomic oxygen--the greenish line at 557.7 nm and (especially with electrons of lower energy and higher altitude) the dark-red line at 630.0 nm. Both these represent "forbidden" transitions of atomic oxygen from energy levels which (in absence of collisions) persist for a long time, accounting for the slow brightening and fading (0.5-1 sec) of auroral rays. Many other lines can also be observed, especially those of molecular nitrogen, and these vary much faster, revealing the true dynamic nature of the aurora.

Auroras can also be observed in the ultra-violet (UV) light, a very good way of observing it from space (but not from ground--the atmosphere absorbs UV). The "Polar" spacecraft even observed it in X-rays. The image is very rough, but precipitation of high-energy electrons can be identified.

Answer 4

the Aurora Borealis is created at teh north and south poles of this planet because they are the magnetic poles. They refract solar glare, which illuminates particles that surround the poles, creating a glow effect. Don't hold me to this, I was working off 20 year old high school memory:P

Answer 5

glaciers reflect light .....so when the sun is shining down them and your in another time zone when its dark out you see the pretty lights