The Aurora Borealis are the spectacular lights in the night sky in the polar zones. The aurora borealis are known as the northern polar lights because they can only been seen in the northern hemisphere and are easier to see the further north you travel.

The Aurora Borealis are named for the greek goddess of dawn Aurora and the greek word for north wind, Boreas.  The northern lights also have a southern counterpart  known as the aurora australis which are only visible in the southern hemisphere. The aurora borealis can be seen between September and October and between March and April.