The Earth’s magnetic north pole is shifting rapidly — so what will happen to the Northern Lights?

Wandering magnetic poles are more of a headache technology and scientists than they are for aurora gazers.

Like most planets in our solar system, the Earth has its own magnetic field. Thanks to its largely molten iron core, our planet is in fact a bit like a bar magnet. It has a north and south magnetic pole, separate from the geographic poles, with a field connecting the two. This field protects our planet from radiation and is responsible for creating the Northern and Southern lights — spectacular events that are only visible near the magnetic poles.