NEED TO KNOW
- A strong G3 geomagnetic storm could make the Aurora Australis visible across parts of Australia on Friday night and into Saturday morning.
- The best viewing opportunities are expected in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and southern New South Wales.
- Skywatchers should look towards the southern horizon between 10pm and 2am local time from a dark location away from city lights.
Australia could have a chance to see the Aurora Australis tonight. Whether you’re an avid aurora chaser or simply someone who never skips their monthly horoscope, this could be the perfect excuse to spend some time stargazing.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has flagged an incoming solar storm, raising the possibility of the Aurora Australis appearing across parts of the country. If conditions align, sweeping veils of pink, emerald and violet could unfurl across the horizon on Friday, June 5, and into the early hours of Saturday.
Also known as the Southern Lights, the Aurora Australis is the Southern Hemisphere’s counterpart to the Northern Lights, occurring when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere.
Current forecasts suggest the phenomenon may be visible from Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and parts of southern New South Wales. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has classified the event as a strong G3 geomagnetic storm, a level that can increase the chances of auroral activity being seen further north than usual.
The forecast comes after a remarkable year for aurora chasers. Thanks to Solar Maximum (the most active phase of the Sun’s 11-year cycle), we’ve been treated to some of the most spectacular Southern Lights displays in recent memory. And if this latest forecast delivers, we could be in for another.
Ahead, everything you need to know.
What Is The Best Time To See The Aurora Australis Tonight?
While auroras are notoriously difficult to predict, current forecasts suggest the best chance of seeing the display will be between 10pm and 2am local time. Those in Tasmania and southern parts of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales are likely to have the strongest viewing opportunities, particularly from dark locations away from city lights.
| State/Territory | Best Viewing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | 10:00pm–2:00am AEST | Australia’s best aurora viewing location, particularly in southern and coastal areas. |
| Victoria | 10:00pm–2:00am AEST | Best viewed from southern coastal regions and dark-sky locations. |
| New South Wales | 10:00pm–2:00am AEST | Possible from southern NSW and dark locations away from city lights. |
| Australian Capital Territory | 10:00pm–2:00am AEST | May be visible if geomagnetic activity remains strong and skies are clear. |
| Queensland | 10:00pm–2:00am AEST | Visibility unlikely, though strong events can occasionally be captured by cameras in southern regions. |
| South Australia | 9:30pm–1:30am ACST | Southern coastal areas have the best chance of visibility. |
| Northern Territory | 9:30pm–1:30am ACST | Visibility unlikely due to latitude. |
| Western Australia | 8:00pm–12:00am AWST | Best viewed from southern coastal locations away from light pollution. |
Where Can You See The Aurora Australis Tonight?
While sightings are never guaranteed, conditions are shaping up to be particularly promising, especially for those in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and southern Western Australia.
As always, the best chances of seeing the lights will depend on clear skies, minimal light pollution and a little patience. Those hoping to catch the spectacle should keep a close eye on updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center as forecasts continue to evolve.
What Exactly Is A Geomagnetic Storm & Why Is The Aurora Australis Happening?
A geomagnetic storm occurs when a burst of solar activity disrupts Earth’s magnetic field. These storms are often triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME), a vast cloud of charged particles released from the Sun that travels through space towards Earth..
As the charged particles interact with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, they produce shimmering curtains of green, pink and violet light known as the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights. The stronger the geomagnetic storm, the further from the poles the aurora can be seen.
Storms are measured on NOAA’s G-scale, which ranges from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). The current forecast sits at G3, a strong geomagnetic storm capable of increasing the chances of auroral activity being visible across parts of southern Australia.
