Question: What is the scientific name for the northern lights?

Correct Answer: Aurora borealis
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth’s electromagnetic field. The particles are ricocheted towards the poles, causing a dazzling light phenomenon in the sky. The term "aurora borealis" was coined by Galileo in 1619 after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas.