十万个为什么·科学启蒙30篇（4）
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Why Auroras Appear Mostly Near the Poles
为什么极光多出现在两极
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Earth's magnetic field guides charged solar particles toward the north and south poles.
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When these high-energy particles enter the upper atmosphere, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms.
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These collisions excite atmospheric gases, which then emit colorful light as they return to normal energy states.
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Because Earth's magnetic field lines converge at the poles, most particles follow them there.
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This funneling effect makes auroras far more frequent and vivid near the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
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Auroras rarely occur near the equator since few solar particles reach those latitudes.
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The strength and visibility of auroras also depend on solar activity and geomagnetic storms.
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Scientists monitor solar wind data to predict when and where auroras might be seen.
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Some astronauts even observe auroral ovals from space as glowing rings around each pole.
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This natural light show reveals how deeply our planet connects with the Sun's dynamic atmosphere.