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<\/p>\nRising fuel prices are failing to deter two West Australian amateur photographers from pursuing their passion for aurora australis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leonie and Dean McFaull live on Molloy Island, an isolated townsite on the Blackwood River around 320 kilometres south of Perth.<\/p>\n
Around 15km from the nearest town, with a small population and little-to-no light pollution, the settlement provides an idyllic country lifestyle.<\/p>\n
But it’s also allowed the McFaulls to produce some spectacular night-time photography.<\/p>\n
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Spectacular Angels Wings captured during a G5 storm in late 2024 near Molloy Island. (Supplied: Dean and Leonie McFaull)<\/p>\n
The couple, along with thousands of other photographers across the globe, were entranced by the images being produced during a period of high solar activity.<\/p>\n
“We got addicted in February 2023,” Mr McFaull said.<\/p>\n
“We noticed the shots coming from New Zealand, so we knew we had about five hours to get a good spot.”<\/p>\n
While it’s meant plenty of late nights and early mornings, the passion has produced some spectacular results, capturing more than 100 of the solar storms.<\/p>\n
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Isolation and a lack of light pollution helps the McFaulls with their photography. (Supplied: Dean and Leonie McFaull)<\/p>\n
“It helps not to need much sleep,” Mr McFaull said.<\/p>\n
“It’s different every single time … Western Australia is more pinkish because we’re a lot further up the Earth.”<\/p>\n
The reddish hue of aurora australis captured by the McFaulls is down to how the displays are seen from WA.<\/p>\n
Solar electrons emit red light when colliding with oxygen atoms at high altitudes; normally 150-250km above the ground, according to information published by the Australian Antarctic Division.<\/p>\n
“Our 10.5mm lens captures 170 degrees, and sometimes you still can’t fit the aurora in,” Mr McFaull said.<\/p>\n
“Sometimes it’ll go right up … over our heads, directly above us and further over.”<\/p>\n
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The McFaulls have captured more than 100 separate auroras on camera. (Supplied: Dean and Leonie McFaull)<\/p>\n
Right time to be on the move<\/p>\n
The more famous green and violet displays are from collisions at lower altitudes, not visible from WA, but ideally spotted from Tasmania, where the McFaulls are currently headed.<\/p>\n
“They’re getting 2-3 auroras a week,” Mr McFaull said.<\/p>\n
The pair were around 10km out of Cocklebiddy when they spoke to the ABC, about 1,050km east of Perth and 270km from the WA\/SA border.<\/p>\n
“Lots and lots of caravans still, I couldn’t believe it,” Mr McFaull said.<\/p>\n
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The reddish-pink colouring reflects the atmospheric activity visible from WA. (Supplied: Dean and Leonie McFaull)<\/p>\n
“Still lots of people trying to holiday.”<\/p>\n
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Helen Reid said the timing was right for chasers to be on the move.<\/p>\n