How are the northern lights formed and are they still as beautiful in space?

Question: How are the northern lights formed and are they still as beautiful in space?
- Keywords:
  northern lights
Asked by haydenb to Jean-François, Floris, Delma, Claudie, Beth, Adrian on 7 Jan 2016.
- Adrianos Golemis answered on 7 Jan 2016:
  
  Other than light, the sun radiates small particles to every direction in the solar system. These particles are deflected by the Earth’s magnetic field and so they end up in our planet’s poles. There they interact with the Earth’s gravity, producing light. This is known as the Northern and Southern Lights (the Aurora) and it is indeed a marvel to behold. They are just as beautiful and perhaps also easier to see from space!
- Claudie Haignere answered on 25 Jan 2016:
  
  I just remember the very first aurora I saw through the Soyuz window, it was a few minutes after launch and achieving orbit: it was an aurora australis, an exceptionally wonderful, magnetic and striking vision.

Question: How are the northern lights formed and are they still as beautiful in space?