Northern Lights - source: telegraph.co.uk

By Desmond M., 3rd Grade

Have you ever seen the northern lights that are called aurora borealis?

Northern Lights are caused by ions and atoms crashing with the atmosphere and are affected by the magnetic force of the Earth.

The colors of the Northern Lights are caused by the different colored ions. Ions are atoms or molecules with an electric charge.  Red and greenish colors are caused by Oxygen atoms. Blues and violets are caused when electrons collide with Nitrogen.

Where are Northern Lights the most common? They are most common in in parts of polar regions such as Norway, Finland, North Pole, Greenland, Northern Siberia and parts of Canada.

I hope I get to see the Northern Lights someday.