Aurora Australis Alert: Witness the Southern Lights Tonight
Put on your jumper and head outdoors—the spectacular Aurora Australis could be visible if the sky cooperates. The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) has issued an Aurora Alert signaling a geomagnetic storm currently underway, creating favorable conditions for a visible aurora in southern high-latitude regions.
Where to Watch
For the best chance to see the aurora, go as far south as possible and avoid city lights. Tasmania offers the highest odds, followed by New Zealand’s South Island. Mainland southern Australia, including Victoria, southern New South Wales, and South Australia, may also experience displays, but very dark skies with minimal light pollution are essential.
When to Watch
The optimal viewing window is usually between 10pm and 2am local time, with auroral displays lasting between one to three hours.
How to Check Visibility
Use the ASWFC’s auroral oval tool to determine if your location falls within the “equatorward visibility line” for tonight’s forecast.
The Science Behind the Light 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 interaction between solar particles and atmospheric gases creates the dancing lights of the aurora.
Summary
If you’re in the right southern location tonight and the skies are clear, prepare for a captivating natural light display caused by solar activity interacting with Earth's atmosphere.
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