What natural phenomenon is described as a colorful display in the sky caused by the interaction of solar particles with the atmosphere?

The phenomenon being described is the Aurora Borealis, also known as the northern lights. This spectacular light display occurs when charged particles emitted by the sun, known as solar wind, collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions produce energy that manifests as colorful lights, typically seen in high-latitude regions near the Arctic and Antarctic.

The creation of the auroras is a direct result of the interaction between solar particles and the Earth’s magnetic field. When these particles enter the atmosphere, they excite gas molecules, which then release energy in the form of visible light, creating the vibrant displays that are characteristic of the aurora.

Other choices describe different concepts: a solar flare refers to a sudden and intense burst of radiation from the sun, which is not specifically a colorful sky phenomenon; the mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the stratosphere, and while it plays a role in atmospheric processes, it is not responsible for the auroras; and the stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, which contains the ozone layer but does not interact with solar particles to create light displays. Thus, the Aurora Borealis is correctly identified as the colorful sky display resulting from these interactions.