Perth to witness ‘best aurora event in years’ tonight

Perth to Witness ‘Best Aurora Event in Years’ Tonight

Perth is preparing for its most spectacular aurora display in years, attracting attention from photographers and space enthusiasts alike. Some have even taken the day off to capture this rare event.

Space fans anticipate a long night of sky watching, hoping to see the aurora as far north as Joondalup — a sight not seen there for years.

Cause of the Aurora

The aurora results from one of three coronal mass ejections (CMEs), massive bursts of high-energy plasma expelled by the sun on Wednesday. When these charged particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth’s atmosphere, they produce vivid light displays.

The first two CMEs arrived around 9am and 11am.
The third and largest CME is expected to hit about 8pm, generating the most excitement.

Optimal Viewing Conditions

The timing is ideal as Western Australia will be in darkness when the largest CME arrives, allowing the aurora’s colors to shine vividly across the sky.

With the moon rising only at 12:49am, observers will enjoy uninterrupted views before moonlight appears.

Community Reaction

“I’ve got friends who have taken today off. It’s fairly exciting, we’re cautiously optimistic about tonight but patience and persistence is the key.” — Matt Woods, Perth Observatory

The space community is buzzing with anticipation, hopeful that this phenomenon might even eclipse the superstorm witnessed in May last year.

Summary: Perth is set for an extraordinary aurora event tonight, driven by a strong solar burst, promising clear, dark skies for an unforgettable celestial display.

PerthNow — 2025-11-12