A polar aurora is a natural phenomenon that occurs near the Earth's poles and is also known as the Northern or Southern Lights. The stunning spectacle of colorful lights is caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth's magnetic field. Other synonyms for polar aurora include aurora borealis (for the Northern Lights) and aurora australis (for the Southern Lights). The name 'aurora' comes from the Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora, and 'borealis' and 'australis' are Latin words meaning 'northern' and 'southern,' respectively. These vibrant displays of light and color provide an awe-inspiring sight for people around the world.