This is the explanation given at this site:
http://virtual.finland.fi/finfo/english/aurora_borealis.html
The sun gives off high-energy charged particles (also called ions) that travel out into space at speeds of 300 to 1200 kilometres per second. A cloud of such particles is called a plasma. The stream of plasma coming from the sun is known as the solar wind. As the solar wind interacts with the edge of the earth's magnetic field, some of the particles are trapped by it and they follow the lines of magnetic force down into the ionosphere, the section of the earth's atmosphere that extends from about 60 to 600 kilometres above the earth's surface. When the particles collide with the gases in the ionosphere they start to glow, producing the spectacle that we know as the auroras, northern and southern. The array of colours consists of red, green, blue and violet.
Check the site below for some cool forecast tools.
2006-10-17 20:47:15
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answer #1
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answered by Star 5
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The Northern Lights is a Common name for Aurora Borealis;
the luminous, radiant emission from the upper atmosphere over middle and high latitudes, and centred around the earth's magnetic poles. These silent fireworks are often seen on clear winter nights in a variety of shapes and colours.
2006-10-17 20:51:59
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answer #2
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answered by Xanadu loves you 3
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According to my research, and to Discovery.com, the Northern Lights are "the result of solar — particles from the sun that hurtle through space until they collide with Earth's atmosphere, releasing a burst of radiation that we see as the northern lights, or aurora borealis."
2006-10-17 20:49:22
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answer #3
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answered by dallygirl89 4
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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
2006-10-17 21:13:38
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answer #4
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answered by veerabhadrasarma m 7
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Northern lights occur when solar flares jet out into space and interfere with the earth's magnetic field. The magnetic fields happen to stem out of the poles.
2006-10-17 20:45:08
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answer #5
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answered by Kit 3
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Also known as Aurora Borialis.........It is the Sun reflecting off ice particles and the like that is in the atmosphere.
2006-10-17 22:12:47
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answer #6
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answered by dewhatulike 5
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You will see them every time I pull down my pants. Sorry
2006-10-17 20:49:34
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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not southern lights
2006-10-17 20:48:41
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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