On Saturday August 10th, South Australian skies were once again treated to a rare and breathtaking celestial spectacle: the aurora. Even though it was a bit of a long shot that South Aussies would be able to see it, one lucky observer captured the stunning show from Cape Jervis. The light display was a result of multiple coronal mass ejections impacting Earth, as forecasted by the Bureau of Meteorology’s Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre.
Earlier that day, BOM issued an alert predicting geomagnetic activity ranging from G1 to G2 levels, which could result in visible auroras during local nighttime hours in Tasmania and southern Victoria. The forecast hinted at the possibility of auroras extending beyond these regions, and surprise! The aurora stretched all the way to SA.
It just goes to show why it pays to sign up to BOM’s aurora alerts. They help you stay in the loop about these amazing events, ensuring you don’t miss out on the next dazzling display. In the past few weeks alone, there have been a bunch of alerts issued.
BOM issued an alert from July 29th to early August 31st, predicting significant geomagnetic activity and marking one of the most anticipated aurora forecasts since the major display on May 11th. The alert proved highly accurate, delivering an incredible aurora display to South Australian skywatchers.
For those who missed it, check out the stunning photos from across South Australia from July 31st. It’s definitely worth signing up for those alerts – you never know when you might catch the next incredible night sky display!
See more: PHOTO GALLERY: Aurora Australis makes dazzling return to SA skies with more excitement to come
For the most up to date Aurora forecasts:
- Check out the My Aurora Forecasts & Alerts app
- Check out the latest Aurora conditions on the Bureau of Meteorology
- Subscribe to the Bureau of Meteorology Aurora alerts
- Follow real time updates for your area on the Glendale.co.uk web app
- Or, join one of the many local Aurora spotting Facebook groups, which give updates in real time.
Aurora watching tips:
- KP Index is not reliable: The Glendale.co.uk app provides live data, making it a more accurate source of information.
- Timing is unpredictable: The aurora can appear 10 hours early or late. Aurora experts can only predict what might happen about an hour in advance, based on data from the Glendale app or Space Weather Live.
- Find a dark location: You need to be in a very dark place to see the aurora, as light pollution can obstruct the view. If you don’t go to a dark spot, you might miss out or see a diminished display.
- Face south: Look towards the South Pole, as that’s where the aurora will be. Anything else you see might be sunset, town lights, or airglow.
- Plan ahead: Make your plan during the day. The aurora can appear and disappear within minutes, so be prepared.
- Using an iPhone: If you think you’ve captured the aurora, go to settings, edit, and adjust exposure and shadows to enhance the image.
- Check for clouds: Use an app like Cloud Free Night to find areas with less cloud cover, or look for gaps in the clouds.
- Have fun!: Enjoy the experience.
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