十万个为什么·科学启蒙30篇（4）

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为什么极光多出现在两极

Earth's magnetic field guides charged solar particles toward the north and south poles.
When these high-energy particles enter the upper atmosphere, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms.
These collisions excite atmospheric gases, which then emit colorful light as they return to normal energy states.
Because Earth's magnetic field lines converge at the poles, most particles follow them there.
This funneling effect makes auroras far more frequent and vivid near the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Auroras rarely occur near the equator since few solar particles reach those latitudes.
The strength and visibility of auroras also depend on solar activity and geomagnetic storms.
Scientists monitor solar wind data to predict when and where auroras might be seen.
Some astronauts even observe auroral ovals from space as glowing rings around each pole.
This natural light show reveals how deeply our planet connects with the Sun's dynamic atmosphere.