What Causes The Aurora Borealis?

The Aurora Borealis are often referred to as the Northern Lights.  They are caused by the sun throwing solar flares which thrust billions of tiny particles through space.  Every particle is electrically charged and any that come in the vicinity of the North Pole are drawn towards it through the magnetic field of the North Pole.
The particles then mingle with the air and this results in the oxygen in the air turning green and shimmering, following an electro-magnetic reaction with the particles.  From Earth we see this as the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.
In Britain the best places to see the Northern Lights are in the north of Scotland (although they are sometimes visible in southern regions).
Both the Orkney and Shetland Isles can enjoy spectacular displays of the Norther Lights, with the whole sky seemingly draped with shimmering green curtains which almost seem to dance in the sky.