Australians were treated to a breathtaking natural spectacle overnight as the aurora australis painted skies across the country in vibrant hues of pink, purple and green.
Nationwide Light Display Captivates Stargazers
From Tasmania to Victoria and as far north as southern Queensland, eager skywatchers stayed up late on Wednesday night to witness the rare celestial show. The dazzling southern lights created a colourful glow along the horizon, with many Australians capturing stunning photographs of the phenomenon and sharing them across social media platforms early Thursday morning.
The spectacular display resulted from coronal mass ejections from the sun, which the British Geological Survey indicated might trigger the most powerful solar storm to impact Earth in more than two decades.
Second Chance to Witness the Phenomenon
For those who missed Wednesday night's spectacular show, there remains another opportunity to catch the aurora australis on Thursday night. Observational astronomer Professor Michael Brown from Monash University confirmed that the latest coronal mass ejection reached Earth around midday Thursday daylight saving time, already sparking bright auroras visible across North America.
"There is a chance the activity will continue and auroras will be visible tonight in Australia," Professor Brown told 7NEWS.com.au.
Viewing Conditions and Expectations
However, Professor Brown tempered expectations, noting that the lights may not appear as far north as they did during Wednesday's display. "Auroras are quite fickle so it is possible they will be visible tonight or we may see next to nothing," he cautioned.
The astronomer emphasized that the best viewing conditions require dark locations away from light pollution with a clear, unobstructed view of the southern horizon. For optimal chances of spotting the southern lights, enthusiasts should seek out remote areas with minimal artificial lighting and wait patiently for nature's light show to potentially unfold.
