Lay two magnets end to end on the table or floor so that they are attracted to each other. Draw what you observe. Again, draw what you see. Make a list of them. Scientists believe auroras are caused by solar particles hitting the Earth's atmosphere.
Red light is produced when low-energy solar particles hit the Earth's atmosphere.
The solar particles are attracted to the north and south by the pull of the Earth's magnetic poles. Satellite photos show that each of the Earth's magnetic poles are crowned with a halo of light. It acts like it has a gigantic bar magnet through its center. Lines of magnetic force run through the Earth from on pole to another. The needle of a compass is a small magnet and it lines up with the Earth's magnetic north and south.