Look up, and pray for clear skies. There’s a good chance that the aurora australis will be visible tonight (Wednesday, November 12). The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre has issued an aurora alert, stating that a “severe geomagnetic storm” is in process. When night falls, visible auroras could be possible in the mid to southern parts of Australia, including Melbourne. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, aurora sightings may even be possible in dark sky locations near Sydney or Perth. While it’s hard to predict exactly when and where you can see the Southern Lights, there are some things you can do to increase your chances.
Spotting aurora australis in Melbourne
Conditions for auroras are more likely when the sun is more active. During periods of increased solar activity, such as coronal mass ejections, dense plasma is thrown into the solar wind. These particles then interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating dancing displays of green, red and purple.
You can keep an eye on conditions by looking at handy websites like the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre or Space Weather Live. You can also join Facebook groups, like Aurora Hunters Victoria, for local information and updates.
To see the Southern Lights, you’ll need to rug up, then find somewhere dark with a view to the south. Looking out over the ocean is a particularly good plan, because it’s flat and you don’t have to worry about light pollution getting in the way. But, if you can’t make it to the coast, you can still see the aurora inland, as long as there aren’t any obstructions like mountains or buildings blocking the view.
Allow time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. This can range from ten to twenty minutes. You’ll also need to adjust your expectations, because what your eyes see and what your camera sees are different. While you might be expecting vivid colours of greens and reds, the naked eye will more likely see moments of brightness, like a flickering white light. Cameras, which have a longer exposure, can pick up the colours to create the spectacular photos you’re more familiar with. When the particles interact with oxygen in our atmosphere, they give off a green and red light, whereas nitrogen creates gorgeous hues of blue and purple.
Keep in mind that this is a natural phenomenon, and sightings aren’t guaranteed.
