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Imagine standing in the chill of night, surrounded by the stillness of nature, when suddenly, the sky bursts into life with vibrant, swirling colours – pinks, reds, yellows and purples.
This isn’t a dream; it’s the breathtaking Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights.
If you’ve ever marvelled at the natural wonders of our planet or wished to see a night sky that looks like a painting come to life, this awe-inspiring display is an experience you won’t want to miss.
But what exactly is the Aurora Australis, and what makes it so special? Let’s uncover the mysteries behind this natural wonder and find out why seeing it should be at the top of your bucket list.
The Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, is a stunning natural display of colourful lights in Earth’s atmosphere, primarily visible in the polar regions.
Dr Saeed Salimpour, an interdisciplinary researcher immersed in cosmology, art and education at Deakin University, emphasises that these lights offer a glimpse into the fascinating physical processes of the universe.
‘They are one of the many astronomical phenomena that provide us with insight into the beauty of various physical processes in the Universe,’ he explains.
‘Some would say that the aurora is perhaps the most spectacular visual display that can be experienced with the unaided eye!’
Unlike distant galaxies or supernovae that require telescopes, anyone can enjoy the Aurora Australis without special equipment, making it an accessible spectacle for all.
Interestingly, auroras aren’t exclusive to Earth. Dr Salimpour notes, ‘Using telescopes and orbiting spacecraft, aurora have been detected on other planets in the solar system – notably on Jupiter and Saturn, but also on Uranus and Neptune.’
While the aurora puts on a stunning display, the charged particles behind it can also disrupt our technology. They can lead to communication blackouts, GPS errors and even affect satellite orbits by increasing drag, ultimately impacting sensitive electronic components and the power grid.
So, while the aurora is a sight to behold, it serves as a reminder that nature has its wild side too.
You’ve likely heard of the Aurora Borealis (aka the Northern Lights). They’ve effectively stolen the limelight when it comes to auroras. But how does the Aurora Australis stack up?
For a long time, it was assumed they were the same thing happening at opposite poles.
However, as Dr Salimpour explains, ‘The general view was that the Aurora Australis and Borealis are exactly the same; however, a few years ago scientists were surprised to find that is not the case.
‘When the solar wind hits the Earth’s magnetic field, it is ‘squished and squeezed’ non-uniformly. The part of the magnetic field facing the Sun is squashed, while the part facing away from the Sun elongates into a ‘tail’ This non-uniformity leads to differences in how the charged particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field.’
In other words, the sun’s energy hits Earth differently in the north and south, so the auroras behave a little differently too.
Both are incredible, but the Aurora Australis has its own unique charm. Maybe it’s the remote, untouched locations where it appears or the fact that fewer people get to see it.
Either way, the Aurora Australis is like a well-kept secret – just as stunning, but with a more exclusive vibe.
Now, let’s get a bit technical. (Stay with me; it’s cool, I promise!).
Dr Salimpour explains, ‘Both the Aurora Australis and Aurora Borealis are caused by the same underlying physical phenomena, which involves the interaction of energised charged particles from the Sun, the Earth’s magnetic field, and the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.’
The Sun constantly sends out a stream of charged particles known as solar wind. Solar wind is produced when its high temperatures tear hydrogen gas into charged particles called plasma.
During strong solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), these particles zoom out at incredible speeds, sometimes reaching several thousand kilometers per second.
When these fast-moving particles reach Earth, they can slip through the magnetic field, especially near the poles. As they collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen in our atmosphere, they excite the atoms, causing them to glow.
Also, the energy from the solar wind creates electrical currents in the Earth’s magnetosphere, called substorms. Substorms speed up electrons and guide them along the magnetic field lines toward the poles.
Occurring at altitudes between 100 to 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, the colours you see – typically green, red and purple – depend on which gases the particles bump into and how high up the collisions occur.
‘Auroras can appear in a range of colours, including greens, reds, and very rarely blues and pinks,’ says Dr Salimpour.
‘Green and red auroras are due to oxygen atoms at different altitudes, while blue and dark red aurora are attributed to nitrogen atoms. Some of the rare auroras, like purples, are the result of mixing of auroral colours.’
Aurora activity usually peaks during certain times of the year – think March to April and again from September to October – when the nights are longer and the skies are darker.
As Dr. Salimpour explains, this activity is influenced by the Sun’s magnetic field cycle, which lasts from 9 to nearly 14 years, averaging around 11 years.
While auroras can occur at any moment, they are more frequent during periods of high solar activity, when the interaction between the solar wind and our atmosphere increases.
Although the exact timing of auroras is hard to predict, they tend to show up more often when solar activity is elevated. Seasonal variations also play a role, as the tilt of the Earth affects how the solar wind interacts with our atmosphere.
Dr. Salimpour notes, ‘They are very hard to predict, and it is an active area of research, because being able to predict and track solar flares, storms and CME’s means that we can take precautions to protect satellites and the power grid.’
He adds, ‘Although we are continuously monitoring the Sun using satellites and can observe when solar events happen, we are not able to track the journey towards the Earth.
‘The first sign is when the event hits a cluster of satellites, and that gives us just over an hour to put in place the appropriate protocols.’
So, while there are no guarantees, staying informed about space weather can increase your chances of catching the lights.
While the northern lights have plenty of accessible viewing spots in places like Greenland and Norway, the southern hemisphere has fewer landmasses with ideal locations. Many of these locations are surrounded by water.
So, if you’re wondering where you can see the stunning Aurora Australis, your best bet is to head to the southernmost reaches of Australia.
Remarkable displays are usually seen at latitudes between 55°-70° N (Iceland, Canada, Finland) or S (New Zealand, Chile, Argentina), but they can surprise you by popping up at lower latitudes too.
As Dr Salimpour points out, ‘The most recent aurora in May 2024 was seen over a large portion of the globe at latitudes much than 55°N/S, and in suburban areas.’
This incredible display reached as far north as Queensland, while the Aurora Borealis lit up skies in places like California, Washington, Italy and Switzerland – definitely not your typical aurora hotspots!
For a front-row seat to this celestial show, Dr Salimpour explains, ‘Tasmania is the obvious choice, short of going to Antarctica.’
Its dark skies and stunning landscapes create the perfect backdrop for the Aurora Australis. Popular locations include Cradle Mountain and Bruny Island, where conditions are just right for a spectacular display.
If Tasmania isn’t on your itinerary, don’t worry! Southern Victoria also offers some fantastic alternatives. Wilsons Promontory, Phillip Island and stretches of the Great Ocean Road are all excellent spots for aurora viewing, especially during periods of high solar activity.
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Keep in mind that large mountains, dense trees and city lights can block your view of the aurora, and don’t forget your patience. Aurora watching can sometimes be a waiting game, but the payoff is worth it. So, ditch the distractions and just soak it all in!
If you’ve ever scrolled through your feed and marvelled at photos of the Aurora Australis lighting up social media, you might be inspired to capture the magic yourself. And why not?
With the right gear and a little patience, you can snap some unforgettable shots of this stunning phenomenon.
For the best results, a DSLR or mirrorless camera is ideal. Set your camera to manual mode, lower your ISO (around 800-3200 works well) and use a wide-angle lens to capture the full display.
Adjust your aperture to f/2.8 or as wide as your lens allows and set your exposure to anywhere between 5 to 30 seconds, depending on how fast the aurora is dancing.
Don’t forget a sturdy tripod and a remote shutter release to prevent any camera shake.
If you’re keen to give it a go with your smartphone, modern devices can still capture some great shots of the Aurora Australis.
Ensure your phone’s camera is set to night mode (or it might switch automatically). Avoid using the flash and try to shoot in a location with minimal light pollution, away from streetlights and buildings.
Point your phone at the southern horizon and hold it steady – using a tripod can help here too.
Remember, your camera might capture colours that look even more vivid than what you see, thanks to its higher sensitivity to light.
Whether you’re an avid traveler, a passionate stargazer or someone who simply appreciates the beauty of our planet, seeing the Aurora Australis should definitely be on your bucket list.
This stunning natural display is a reminder of the wonder that exists beyond our daily lives.
So, pack your bags (don’t forget your camera), head to the southern reaches and prepare for an adventure that will leave you starry-eyed. The Aurora Australis is waiting for you!
Alfred Deakin Post-doctoral Research Fellow,
Faculty of Science Engineering & Built Environment,
Deakin University
