Aurora Australis Alert: Get Outside Tonight The Sky Might Just Glow

Aurora Australis Alert: Get Outside Tonight

Grab your jumper and head for the hills or the beach. The stunning Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, could be visible tonight if conditions align.

The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) has issued an Aurora Alert indicating a geomagnetic storm is underway. This means the conditions are promising for a visible aurora in high-latitude Southern Australia.

Where to Watch

Best chances are as far south as possible, away from city lights.
Tasmania and New Zealand's South Island offer the highest likelihood of sightings.
Mainland Southern Australia—Victoria, southern NSW, and South Australia—may also see a display, but require very dark skies and minimal light pollution.

When to Watch

The prime time is generally between 10pm and 2am local time, with auroras lasting 1–3 hours.

How It Happens

Solar activity such as solar wind and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) sends charged particles toward Earth. These particles interact with our planet’s magnetic field and collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the upper atmosphere, producing glowing light.

The ASWFC advises using their auroral oval tool to check if your latitude is within the “equatorward visibility line” for tonight’s display.

This spectacular natural light show is one to catch if the skies cooperate tonight.

Summary: A geomagnetic storm has created conditions for the Southern Lights to be visible in southern Australia and New Zealand tonight, especially away from city lights between 10pm and 2am local time.

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Urban List — 2025-11-06