The aurora borealis, or northern lights, can be seen at the North Pole but not at the equator because they occur where Earth's magnetic field directs charged particles from the sun into the atmosphere. The Earth's magnetic field is strongest and most concentrated near the magnetic poles, where it funnels these charged solar particles down into the upper atmosphere. When these particles collide with atmospheric gases, they excite those gases, causing the glowing light displays known as auroras. At the equator, the Earth's magnetic field lines are more horizontal and do not channel the charged solar particles into the atmosphere as they do near the poles. Thus, the auroras are predominantly visible in high-latitude regions near the poles (around the Arctic and Antarctic), where the magnetic field lines converge and are weakest, allowing the particles to reach the atmosphere and create the light show. In summary:

• Charged particles from the sun are deflected and guided by Earth's magnetic field toward the magnetic poles.
• The magnetic field lines are concentrated near the poles, allowing particles to enter the atmosphere there.
• At the equator, the magnetic field lines prevent these particles from entering the atmosphere, so auroras are not visible.

This phenomenon occurs both at the North Pole (aurora borealis) and the South Pole (aurora australis).