According to space weather forecasts from NOAA and the Bureau of Meteorology<\/a>, a partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the Sun on October 6 is expected to impact Earth on October 9, setting the stage for Southern Lights displays across Tasmania, Victoria, parts of coastal New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia\u2019s southern fringe.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a seasoned aurora chaser or hoping to catch your very first cosmic light show, this weekend offers a major advantage: the moon. With the New Moon arriving on October 11, pitch-black night skies mean zero moonlight pollution to compete with the faint atmospheric glow.<\/p>\n Here is everything you need to know about when to look up, where to go, and why this weekend\u2019s conditions are exceptionally rare.<\/p>\n Key Facts, Aurora Australis, October 5: <\/p>\n What: Aurora Australis (The Southern Lights)<\/p>\n When: Friday, October 9, 2026 <\/p>\n Prime Window: 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM (Local Time)<\/p>\n Where to Look: The deep south of the country, or dark-sky locations outside major cities. Face directly south.<\/p>\n Current Forecast: The Bureau of Meteorology\u2019s Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) notes recent G2-level geomagnetic activity. <\/p>\n Where And When To See The Aurora Australis In Your Australian State <\/p>\n To catch the display, head out after astronomical twilight ends (roughly 75 to 90 minutes after sunset), with the most intense activity expected during the darkest hours of the night. <\/p>\n State\/Territory Sunset Time Peak Viewing Window Viewing Potential Dark Sky Vantage PointTAS (Hobart)7:12pm 10:00pm-2:00am AEDT HIGH Kunanyi \/ Mt Wellington, Bruny Island, South Arm Peninsula, Cradle MountainNSW (Sydney)7:08pm 10:30pm-2:00am Moderate to High Sapphire Coast (Eden, Green Cape), Royal National Park, Warrumbungle Dark Sky ParkVIC (Melbourne)7:35pm 10:00pm-2:00am AEDTModerate to High Cape Schanck, Wilsons Promontory, Phillip Island, Mornington PeninsulaSA (Adelaide)7:30pm 10:00pm-2:00am ACDTModerate Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Lincoln National ParkWA (Perth)6:22pm 9:30pm-1:30am AWST Moderate (South Coast)Albany, Esperance, Margaret River coastal lookouts <\/p>\n Capturing An Aurora Australis On iPhone And Android <\/p>\n If you step outside and only see faint, greyish streaks low on the horizon, don\u2019t throw in the towel, auroras are often easier to capture on camera. <\/p>\n \u201cYour camera is basically a light-collecting superhero,\u201d Chandran says. \u201cIt can gather light over several seconds, building up colour and detail. Your eyes are doing their best, but they were designed to spot predators, not photograph space magic.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr Driessen agrees that relying on your phone is the easiest way to confirm a sighting: \u201cOur eyes aren\u2019t very good at picking up faint, diffuse light in the dark. Taking a long-exposure photo on your phone will instantly reveal the magentas and greens that your eyes can\u2019t quite resolve.\u201d<\/p>\n Skip To:<\/p>\n How Does An Aurora Australis Happen?<\/a><\/p>\n What\u2019s The Difference Between The Southern Lights And The Northern Lights?<\/a><\/p>\n How Does Hemispheric Power Impact How We See The Aurora Australis?<\/a><\/p>\n
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Image: ELLE reader submitted images of the January geomagnetic storm which produced an Aurora Australis strong enough to be captured on iPhone in well lit suburban streets. <\/p>\n