Aurora Australis Alert: Get Outside Tonight The Sky Might Just Glow
Grab your jumper and head for the hills or the beach. The spectacular Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) could be visible tonight if the conditions align.
The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) has issued an Aurora Alert signaling a geomagnetic storm is underway, creating favorable conditions for a visible aurora in high-latitude Southern Australia.
Where to See the Aurora
- Best locations are as far south as possible, away from city lights.
- Tasmania offers the highest chances, followed by New Zealand's South Island.
- Mainland Southern Australia—Victoria, southern New South Wales, South Australia—may also experience the phenomenon, but dark skies with minimal light pollution are essential.
When to Watch
- The prime viewing window is typically between 10pm and 2am local time.
- Displays usually last from 1 to 3 hours.
- Check your location using the ASWFC’s auroral oval tool to see if you are inside the “equatorward visibility line” for tonight.
The Science Behind the Show
When the sun flings charged particles out—solar wind, coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—they travel toward Earth and hit our planet’s magnetic field. Once trapped, they interact with molecules in the upper atmosphere (oxygen, nitrogen), releasing light.
This natural light display is a dazzling result of solar activity interacting with Earth's atmosphere, offering a rare spectacle for lucky night sky watchers.
Author's summary: A geomagnetic storm promises a stunning Aurora Australis display tonight in southern Australia and New Zealand, perfect for viewers in dark, southern locations between 10pm and 2am.