Aurora Australis Dances Over Southland and Otago Skies
The sky above Kaitangata was illuminated with vivid green, red, and purple hues. Southland and Otago experienced a breathtaking spectacle as Aurora Australis, the southern lights, lit up the night with vibrant colors.
Aurora Australis are natural light displays visible only at night, often showing shades of blue, red, yellow, green, and orange that shift and change shape smoothly.
Local Experience of the Aurora
Leeana Ferguson brought her two young daughters to Kaitangata on Summer Hill Rd, looking towards Kākā Point to witness the spectacular lights. She shared,
“That’s our usual spot to try and catch a glimpse of the ‘pretty lights’, as my girls call them."
How Auroras Occur
Auroras are caused by solar activity sending charged particles through space, which interact with Earth’s magnetic field. This interaction can cause geomagnetic storms, resulting in dazzling auroras visible in night skies.
These southern lights can appear year-round but are most common around the equinoxes in March and September, when the long, dark nights increase chances of seeing the phenomenon.
Ferguson noted that the light beams towards Kaka Point were “clearly visible to the naked eye” and added,
“I think this is about the third time this year I’ve been lucky enough to get good photos of the aurora.”
Author's summary: The Aurora Australis created stunning colourful displays over Southland and Otago, captivating locals who cherish these natural lights seen best during dark equinox nights.