This week, the aurora australis may be visible from Victoria to Western Australia due to a significant geomagnetic storm that erupted from the sun. The display of southern lights coincides with a penumbral lunar eclipse, observable nationwide.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s space weather forecasting center issued an aurora alert on Monday, indicating that the storm had begun and that the auroras might be visible.
These storms are caused by coronal mass ejections, which release plasma clouds from the sun’s outer atmosphere. As these particles hit Earth’s magnetic field, they produce striking aurora displays.
Southern lights and a lunar eclipse offer a stunning sky show this week.The storm reached a level 6 on the K-index, a scale of geomagnetic activity from 1 to 8. This suggests that auroras could be visible in Tasmania, along Victoria’s coast, and even parts of Western Australia’s southwest. Typically seen in Antarctica, severe storms push these displays further north.
Severe geomagnetic storms can disrupt power grids and satellites and pose radiation risks to astronauts and high-flying aircraft. For optimal viewing of the aurora, the Bureau of Meteorology recommends finding a dark location, such as a beach or a hill with a clear southern view, between 10 pm and 2 am.
Dr. Stuart Ryder from Macquarie University noted that the solar cycle is nearing its peak, increasing the likelihood of dramatic auroras. He explained that during the solar cycle’s active phase, sunspots increase, leading to more frequent and intense solar flares that create vivid auroras in various colors.
Tonight and tomorrow night are expected to be the best for viewing. Additionally, a penumbral lunar eclipse will occur, dimming the moon around 7 pm in Sydney and 7:30 pm in Melbourne. While the eclipse will be visible across multiple continents, it might overshadow the aurora viewing experience.