Aurorae tend to happen above the poles because
A) charged particles leak through Earth's magnetic field and cascade down to the upper atmosphere where the planetary magnetic field connects with Earth.
B) the charged particles are attracted to the ions in the polar ice caps.
C) charged particles are attracted to the coldest places on Earth.
D) the poles rotate slower than the equator.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aurorae are a result of charged particles from the sun being trapped by Earth's magnetic field and then funneled towards the poles. At the poles, the magnetic field lines of the planet connect with Earth, allowing these charged particles to cascade down into the upper atmosphere and collide with atoms and molecules, creating the colorful lights we see as aurorae.

Aurorae Tend to Happen Above the Poles Because