Aurora Australis: Nature's Greatest Light Show! When can you see Aurora Australis?

Aurora Australis may look like a new term. It is not a planet, a star, a species or a country. It is actually a natural light show in the earth’s air, mainly seen in the regions with a high latitude near the Antarctic circle. This phenomenon is caused by the interaction between the solar wind and the earth’s magnetosphere. Aurora Australis and Aurora Borealis are two different terms used to distinguish the northern lights in the Southern Hemisphere from those in the Northern Hemisphere. While Aurora Australis is seen in Antarctica and surrounding regions, Aurora Borealis is seen in Arctic regions such as Alaska and Scandinavia. Both are breathtaking exhibitions of nature’s beauty that captivate observers worldwide. What is Aurora Australis? Aurora Australis is the beautiful natural light show found in the Southern Hemisphere, often called the ‘Southern Lights’. It is an enchanting spectacle of colors, mainly green, but also shades of red, purple and blue, dancing and shining over the night sky. Like its northern counterpart, the Aurora Borealis, the Aurora Australis is created by the interaction between bodies and the earth’s atmosphere. These particles are drawn to the earth’s magnetic poles, causing the atmospheric gases to glow. This breathtaking phenomenon is usually seen in regions with a high latitude such as Antarctica, New Zealand and South Australia. What is the science behind the Aurora Australis? How is it formed? The Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, is an enchanting natural light show caused by a cosmic dance between the sun and the earth. Here’s how it happens: Solar torches: The sun, our neighbor star, is constantly active. It releases bursts of energy called solar flames, which send loaded particles (electrons and protons) into space. This is known as the solar wind. Earth’s magnetic shield: Our planet is surrounded by a protective magnetic field. This field bends most of the solar wind away from the earth. Particles enter the atmosphere: However, some of these loaded particles manage to slip through the magnetic field, especially near the poles. Collision and excitement: As these particles enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they clash with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. This collision excites the atoms, causing them to release energy in the form of light. The Light Show: The different colors of the Aurora Australis are produced by different gases. Oxygen emits green and red light, while nitrogen produces blue and purple. The different heights of these collisions also affect the colors and forms of the aurora. The Aurora Australis is therefore essentially a huge, natural light show caused by the interaction of culprits with the earth’s atmosphere. In addition, the fascinating colors of the Aurora Australis are the result of different gases in the earth’s atmosphere that interact with the incoming culprits. Green: The most common color, produced by oxygen molecules located about 100 kilometers above the earth’s surface. Red: Also caused by oxygen, but of higher heights, about 300 kilometers. This is why Red Auroras often appear in a crown -like shape at the top of the screen. Blue and purple: These colors are typically produced by nitrogen molecules. Where can you see the Aurora Australis Southern Lights? The Aurora Australis is a fascinating natural phenomenon that is best experienced in the Southern Hemisphere. While it is mainly visible in regions with a high latitude, with the right conditions, you can also take a look at this heavenly spectacle in other places. Antarctica offers the most consistent and spectacular exhibitions of the Aurora Australis. The best time to visit is from March to September (the spring and summer of Antarctica). Ideal conditions: Clear, dark nights away from city lights. Tasmania, Australia, known as the ‘Aurora capital of Australia’, offers Tasmania opportunities to see the southern lights. The best time to visit is from April to September. Ideal conditions: clear air, minimal light pollution. The South Island of New Zealand offers chances to see the Aurora Australis, especially in the southern regions. The best time to visit is from June to August. Ideal conditions: Dark, bright nights away from city lights. The Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean offer the Falklands a remote and pristine environment for Aurora viewing. The best time to visit is from March to September. Ideal conditions: Clear, dark air. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands These sub-Antarctic islands offer extraordinary opportunities for Aurora observations. The best time to visit is from November to March (summer in the Southern Hemisphere). Ideal conditions: Clear weather, minimal light pollution. South Chili and Argentina The southernmost regions of these countries offer potential Aurora observations. The best time to visit is from June to August. Ideal conditions: Dark, bright air away from city lights. South Africa, although less common, can sometimes be seen in the southern parts of South Africa. The best time to visit is from June to August. Ideal conditions: Extremely bright air, minimal light pollution. Millions of people worldwide were captivated by the Auroras on 11-12 May 2024 when they were witness to beautiful exhibitions of the northern and southern lights. Although Auroras are typically seen in polar regions, this event has made them visible in a much broader area and even reached the south of Australia. People in cities and suburbs, including suburban streets, had the chance to look at these beautiful lights. However, the most impressive views were found in dark places, far from the glow of city lights. On the evening of Saturday, May 11, many people gathered at Cape Schanck, about an hour from Melbourne, where hundreds, if not thousands, admired spectators the Auroras. It felt like a festival of astronomy, with green and red rays slowly moving across the air, sometimes as high as 60 degrees above the southern horizon. You may like: what leads to the formation of the northern Aurora lights? When will they be visible?