Can we see the Aurora Australis lights from Sydney and NSW?
Here in NSW, we're lucky enough to have some dazzling natural wonders on our doorstep. But the one that everyone's been talking about – the magical natural light show known as Aurora Australis – is rarely as visible here in NSW as it is in other Australian states. Over the weekend, a bunch of Aurora Australis sightings were reported in South Australia and Tassie – here's what we know.
Can you see the Aurora Australis from NSW?
The Aurora Australis – the light rings that appear in the sky above the South Pole, also known as the Southern Lights – are most commonly sighted during March and September when the Earth's magnetic field is best orientated to interact with the solar wind. Over the past few days, some Aussies were treated to a late display – with a geomagnetic storm making the lights visible from Tasmania and parts of South Australia.
While last year a huge geomagnetic storm ignited the Southern Lights in such a way that they were visible from NSW, this recent storm hasn't had the same effect, with no recent sightings reported from NSW.
What is the Aurora Australis?
Auroras are caused by "solar wind", electrically charged particles that stream from the Sun towards Earth at super high speeds (up to 2,000 kilometres/second). Most of the particles are stopped by Earth's magnetic field, but some of them manage to travel down the magnetic field lines at the South Pole and North Pole, and when they mix with atmospheric gases, they create a colourful light display in the dark. In the Southern Hemisphere, this phenomenon is called the Aurora Australis, while in the Northern Hemisphere it's the Aurora Borealis.
How to see the Aurora Australis in NSW
If and when there is a chance of a Southern Lights sighting, your best bet of spotting the lights is by finding a south-facing spot without light pollution. You've got more chances of being able to avoid light pollution in regional NSW than in Sydney, but here's our guide to the best spots for stargazing in and near Sydney.
A bright aurora display generally lasts around one to three hours, and is typically brightest between the hours of 10pm and 2am. The BOM issues Aurora watch notices when an Aurora is likely to be visible – so keep an eye out here if you're keen to catch a glimpse.
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