B Why are aurora always in the vicinity of Earth's poles?

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Auroras predominantly occur near the Earth's poles due to the behavior of charged particles, which are trapped in the magnetic field. These particles, primarily electrons and protons, spiral down the magnetic field lines towards the poles, where they collide with atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen, creating the auroral glow. The magnetic field is indeed weaker at the equator, but the configuration of the field lines allows for easier escape of particles at the poles. Consequently, auroras are restricted to high-latitude regions. This phenomenon highlights the relationship between Earth's magnetic field and the occurrence of auroras.
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Why aurora happen near north or south pole more easily? I mean why charged particles can escape the Van Allen belts more easily to have collisions with particles in the atmosphere? Why are they harder to escape near equator? Isn't it supposed to have weaker magnetic field near the equator?
 
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al33 said:
Why aurora happen near north or south pole more easily? I mean why charged particles can escape the Van Allen belts more easily to have collisions with particles in the atmosphere? Why are they harder to escape near equator? Isn't it supposed to have weaker magnetic field near the equator?

To take Anorlundas' reply a bit further ...

The Earth's magnetic field lines enter/exit the north and south magnetic poles. The aurorae are caused by charged particles, mainly electrons and protons, that get trapped in the magnetic field and they spiral down the field lines to each of the two poles where they collide/interact with oxygey and nitrogen atoms in the upper atmosphere causing the auroral glow
Force+on+an+Electric+Charge+Moving+in+a+Magnetic+Field.jpg


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spiralling.jpg
As a result you can only get aurorae in the polar - high latitude regionscheers
Dave
 

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