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 conditions align.
The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) has issued an Aurora Alert, signaling an ongoing geomagnetic storm and favorable conditions for a visible aurora in high-latitude Southern Australia. This means that if you are in the right place at the right time with clear skies, you might witness the sky’s natural light show.
Where to See the Aurora Australis
- Best locations: Tasmania and New Zealand's South Island offer the highest chances.
- Mainland Southern Australia (Victoria, southern New South Wales, South Australia) might also see the display, but very dark skies and low light pollution are necessary.
- Ideal viewing time: Usually between 10 PM and 2 AM local time.
- Duration: Auroral displays often last from 1 to 3 hours.
You can use the ASWFC’s auroral oval tool to check if your location tonight falls inside the “equatorward visibility line.”
The Science Behind the Aurora
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 interaction is what creates the beautiful glowing curtains often seen dancing across the night sky.
Author’s summary: Tonight’s geomagnetic storm promises a breathtaking Aurora Australis display for southern observers with dark, clear skies from Tasmania to New Zealand. Don’t miss it!