Aurora australis forecast to be visible across WA this week

Aurora Australis Expected Across Western Australia This Week

An impressive display of the aurora australis, or Southern Lights, is forecast to be visible as far north as Perth this week. However, this may signal the tail end of a recent surge in aurora activity.

What Is Aurora Australis?

Aurora australis is the southern hemisphere's counterpart to the aurora borealis. These lights appear when charged particles from the sun travel toward Earth via solar wind and collide with gases in the upper atmosphere. The particles are drawn toward the planet’s magnetic poles, making the auroras most visible near the poles, either north or south of the equator.

Colors and Causes

The vivid colors of the aurora depend on the type of gas and altitude:

“The same process that powers a neon sign, just on a planetary scale,” explains the Perth Observatory.

Visibility and Forecast

Only a few days this week, particularly Wednesday and Thursday nights, are expected to showcase the lights across Australia’s southern coast. Perth and Sydney mark the northernmost locations where the aurora display may be visible.

“The first coronal mass ejection (CME) has just hit an hour and a half ago, and the second CME is about to hit! One more is following these two, and it’s this one we’re really waiting for, that’s the heavy hitter!” the Observatory shared on social media.
Summary

The upcoming aurora australis display promises a spectacular sight for southern Australia, driven by solar activity and offering a rare chance to witness nature’s light show far north of usual latitudes.

Author’s summary: A striking aurora australis event is set to light up Western Australia this week, possibly marking the end of a recent surge in aurora activity visible much farther north than usual.

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