Photo credit: I CHEN LEE
Hoards of aurora hunters were disappointed overnight, as a forecast Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the X4.5 flare Saturday morning has yet to eventuate, meaning the expected Aurora Australis hasn’t appeared in our skies. The CME is currently still well within the arrival time range and is not considered late so far, so tonight could be more fruitful. It may also hit during daylight hours in Australia, so we may still miss out. If it does arrive tonight, the light of the full moon makes sightings less likely, but it hasn’t dampened the spirits of Aurora watch groups, with excitement still in the air.
A current Aurora watch alert is in place, issued overnight by the The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre at 11pm.
The centre has highlighted that a geomagnetic storm is in progress, and a coronal mass ejection is expected to hit the Earth, with the potential to create vibrant auroras visible across high-latitude regions in the next 24 hours.
Last week, South Australia was also treated to quite a show. See the gallery here.
Global geomagnetic activity is measured by the G-scale, which refers to fluctuations in Earth’s magnetic field. G1 storms are considered minor, and G5 storms are extreme. The spectacular Aurora we saw in May was a G5, for perspective.
The storm comes after several days of consistent space weather activity, including a series of CME glancing blows that have been producing background levels of geomagnetic storming. These earlier disturbances have primed the atmosphere, and now the incoming eruption is likely to amplify the effects, leading to a dramatic light show for those in the right locations. For South Australians, this means heading to darker, more remote areas like the Eyre Peninsula could provide a front-row seat to the aurora.
However, there are a few challenges to consider. While the geomagnetic storm is expected to produce stunning auroras, the nearly full moon could compete with the visibility of the lights, casting a bright glow across the sky. This could make it harder to see the aurora’s more subtle colors. The storm’s polarity also adds an element of uncertainty, as scientists cannot definitively predict the strength or reach of the aurora until the storm hits the DISCOVR instrument.
Despite these challenges, aurora enthusiasts and amateur astronomers are eagerly watching the skies and the latest forecasts, anticipating that the next 24 hours could deliver something spectacular.
As the forecast develops, the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre will continue to monitor the situation and issue further updates. For now, South Australians are advised to stay alert and, if conditions align, venture out after dark to catch a glimpse of the elusive Aurora Australis.
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.
FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE AURORA FORECASTS:
- Follow real time updates for your area on the https://aurora-alerts.uk/ web app
- 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
- Or, join one of the many local Aurora spotting Facebook groups, which give updates in real time.
More News
