September 17th 2024.
Attention all Australians! Some of you may be in for a special treat tonight as the breathtaking aurora australis, also known as the "southern lights", may be visible in certain parts of the country. The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre, in collaboration with the Bureau of Meteorology, has issued an aurora alert for areas in southern Australia.
If you happen to be in Tasmania or southern Victoria, keep an eye out during the late hours of this evening, between 10pm and 2am. The vibrant geomagnetic storm is expected to put on a show in these regions. However, other coastal areas in southern Australia may also catch a glimpse of the aurora, although it may only be through a camera lens.
According to space weather forecaster Dr Jeanne Young, the best way to experience the southern lights is with the naked eye on a clear night with no bright moon. "To be honest, there's nothing quite like witnessing the aurora with your own eyes," she says.
If you're wondering where the ideal spots are to witness this natural wonder, look for a dark beach or a hill with minimal light pollution. The aurora can be visible for up to three hours, with midnight being the ideal time to catch it.
Fun fact: aurora australis is most likely to occur during the months of May and September. So if you miss it tonight, keep an eye out during these months for another chance to see it.
Earlier today, the ASWFC also issued an alert about increased geomagnetic activity due to a coronal mass ejection. This is when the sun releases a large amount of plasma and magnetic field from its corona. When these particles collide with the earth's magnetic field, it creates a geomagnetic storm, resulting in stunning auroras like the one we may see tonight.
Don't worry, tonight's storm is not expected to be too intense. The ASWFC has rated it as a G4, with G1 being the mildest and G5 being the most extreme. But fear not, as places like Tasmania and Antarctica are considered prime viewing spots for the aurora australis due to their proximity to the south pole.
So keep your eyes peeled and your cameras ready tonight, as you may just get the chance to witness the magical and awe-inspiring southern lights. And if you do, make sure to share your photos with us!
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