Polar lights, or aurora, are bright bands of light that streak in the sky of the polar regions. The sun emits high-energy ion particles. These electrically charged particles, also known as solar wind, get deflected by the Earth’s magnetic field. As a result they are drawn magnetically down into the ionosphere above the Earth’s surface at the poles. Their collision with the gas particles of the air causes the impressive display of colour in the northern sky. The magnetic field of the Earth protects us from the solar wind, which would otherwise destroy all life on the Earth.