Image credit: @elise.dalmaso.photography
In a breathtaking celestial spectacle, South Australia was treated to a display of the Aurora Australis, commonly known as the Southern Lights, casting a tapestry of red, pink, and purple hues across the night sky.
The event occurred on November 5th, leaving stargazers in awe of the rare and ethereal phenomenon.
One fortunate photographer, Elise Dalmaso, captured its stunning beauty amid the serene landscapes of Kuitpo Forest.
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“It was absolutely beautiful to witness! Even to the naked eye the southern horizon had a pink brightness to it when [I took the image]. While we knew that there may be some Aurora activity present, when my friend and I both took our first shots we both could not believe what we were seeing. I actually did a happy dance in the forest,” Elise tells Glam Adelaide.
“It is such an exciting phenomenon and in SA we are very lucky to be able to get away from light pollution with a relatively short drive.”
“This 13 shot panorama is called ‘ Where the Aurora meets the milkyway’, because the arc spanned so wide it did not fit in a single shot. Nature is simply incredible,” Elise says.
The breathtaking display wasn’t confined to one location; sightings of the Southern Lights were also reported along the picturesque coastline, with Petrel Cove, Chiton Beach, Port Elliot, and Encounter Bay witnessing the spectacle.
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The Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, is a rarity in South Australia, typically reserved for those who venture to extremely remote areas of the world.
While the event was particularly fierce in parts of Victoria, South Australia was fortunate enough to experience this captivating display as it crossed the border, illuminating the night skies over Kuitpo and various coastal locations.
The Southern Lights are a far less common occurrence compared to their Northern Hemisphere counterpart, the Aurora Borealis.
The phenomenon behind the Southern Lights is driven by powerful solar storms that propel solar winds towards Earth.
When these solar winds interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, they trigger reactions with gases like oxygen and nitrogen, resulting in the creation of photons or tiny explosions of light. These luminous explosions paint the night sky with a vivid array of colours, forming the mesmerising Southern Lights.
While Antarctica is often associated with the Southern Lights, most cruise ships do not venture far enough south to witness it.
For those inspired to chase the Southern Lights and experience this breathtaking natural phenomenon firsthand, there are a few places in Australia that offer a chance to catch nature’s special light show:
Tasmania: Hobart, Tasmania’s capital city, is a prime location to witness the Aurora Australis. The region boasts a collection of islands and peninsulas, such as Bruny Island, Satellite Island, Betsey Island, and South Arm, all offering ideal vantage points to observe auroras. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and Mount Nelson are also popular spots, making Tasmania the premier destination to witness the Aurora Australis in Australia.
Southern Coast of Australia: The southern coast of Australia provides ample opportunities to capture the Southern Lights on camera. Photographers have successfully documented auroras from various locations, including the Gippsland Coast, the Bass Coast, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula, and Bellarine Peninsula. The common factor in these areas is a clear view of the ocean, which is essential for witnessing the colourful lights dance across the night sky.
Tips for capturing the Southern Lights on camera:
- Find a location with minimal light pollution.
- Have the right equipment ready, such as a tripod, a lens with a wide aperture to let lots of light into the sensor and a camera good at taking low-light photos. Also, if you have a newer mobile phone, give that a whirl- they can also capture the light show.
- Ensure your camera is set to ‘manual’ mode, ISO between 1600-6400, shutter speed between 5 to 15 seconds and lens to the lowest f-number/widest aperture.
Click here for more information on the Southern Lights.
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