It’s one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles viewable with the naked eye — and tonight in certain parts of the country, the Aurora Australis might be back. Also known as the southern lights, the powerful weather event is set to light up skies around the nation once more.
Associate Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Monash University, Michael Brown, told Yahoo News that if Aussies are lucky, there’s a “good chance” the dazzling display will be visible again tonight.
It’s almost exactly one month since the last display, when the sky lit up with vivid ribbons of green and purple, a striking performance that left stargazers in awe.
Professor Brown explained that auroras “are famously fickle” and the chance of everyone seeing the show “isn’t guaranteed”, but it is looking likely.
“Aurora forecasts are very uncertain, so I cannot give a specific time, but there’s a decent chance of it being during the hours after sunset,” he said.
Related: Incredible Aurora Australis seen by millions
City dwellers might get lucky
People in cities generally struggle to see the spectacle because of the light pollution, he added, though thousands around the country did in November.
“City folk do get to see them when they are particularly bright, and they have a good dark view to the south,” Prof Brown said.
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In November, thousands around the country shared their incredible imagery. Source: Amanda Westwood/Facebook
“For example, people sometimes see auroras from Melbourne’s bayside beaches that have clear views to the south and suburban lights blocked by cliffs and vegetation.”
Prof Brown said there are numerous aurora spotting groups on social media, which “can be a great way of finding out if people are seeing them in your area”.
“The best places to see auroras are away from town and city lights, with good dark views of the southern horizon. If you can see the Milky Way easily and you have a clear view to the south, then you’re in a good spot for aurora viewing,” he said.
Many mobile phones will take great photos. Make sure you have your flash switched off and allow the longest exposure time possible.
Professor Brown said the sun is nearing the peak of its roughly 11-year activity cycle, and several large, highly active sunspot groups are currently sitting on its surface.
These regions have already unleashed multiple solar flares and coronal mass ejections, with some directed towards Earth.
He said there is a real possibility of further auroras in the coming days, and potentially the weeks ahead, but warned the phenomena remain notoriously unpredictable, meaning Aussies will “just have to cross their fingers”
How can I spot the aurora Australis?
To catch a glimpse of the Aurora Australis, timing and location are everything.
The southern lights are best seen during strong geomagnetic storms, when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, usually in winter or early spring when nights are long and dark.
For the best view, head as far south as possible and away from city lights.
To catch a glimpse of the Aurora Australis, timing and location are everything.. Source: Jared Pap/Facebook
Spots in Tasmania, southern Victoria, and South Australia often offer prime viewing.
Look to the southern horizon on a clear, moonless night, and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness.
While the lights may appear faint to the naked eye, they often appear vivid on camera, so keeping a tripod and a long-exposure setting handy can make all the difference.
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