Latest news with #AuroraAustralis
TimesLIVE
21 hours ago
- General
- TimesLIVE
Who needs the northern lights when Mzansi has its own?
Travellers to European countries like Iceland or Norway have long been fascinated by the northern lights phenomenon that takes place from September to March. However, Mzansi's night skies are expecting their own colourful spectacle this month. Known as Aurora Australis, the southern lights come after a coronal mass ejection struck Earth's magnetic field in Tuesday morning. This is how the colourful effect is created in the skies. Who will see it According to the George Herald, the light show will be visible in some parts of South Africa — particularly in the far south of the country, although some KZN residents were lucky enough to witness it last year when it occurred. How it happens The South African National Space Agency explains that geomagnetic storms — caused by charged particles from the sun — are measured on a scale starting with G: 'It is denoted by a G followed by a number from one to five, with one being a minor event and five being an extreme event.' How to see it For those taking pictures on the day, Good Things Guy shared tips from We Are South Africans Facebook page that suggested camera users (DSLR or otherwise) should try to use an ISO of 1600–3200, an aperture of f/2.8, and shutter speed of 10–30 seconds — a slower shutter speed is able to catch the colours in the night sky.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Climate
- IOL News
Aurora Australis could light up South African skies this week – here's how to see it
This rare opportunity to see the Aurora Australis, driven by an intense geomagnetic storm, could light up the skies from Cape Town to Limpopo. South Africans may soon witness a celestial spectacle usually reserved for the icy reaches of Antarctica — the Aurora Australis. For most of us, the chance to see the Southern Lights from our own backyards is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Due to an unusually intense geomagnetic storm, the Aurora Australis might be visible across various regions in South Africa — from coastal cities like Cape Town and Durban to inland areas as far as Limpopo, depending on cloud cover and atmospheric conditions. Typically, the Southern Lights are only seen from remote southern locations such as Antarctica, the southern tip of Chile, or Tasmania. However, a rare burst of solar activity is now pushing this phenomenon much further north than usual.
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Where to see the Southern Lights in South Africa this week
South Africa isn't the first place people think of when it comes to the Southern Lights, also known as the Aurora Australis. These stunning natural light displays are more commonly associated with Antarctica, Tasmania, and the southern tips of New Zealand and Chile. But under rare and specific conditions, South Africans can catch a glimpse too – if they know where and when to look. Here's what you need to know about spotting the Southern Lights from South Africa and the best places to try your luck… Yes – but only rarely. The Southern Lights are caused by charged solar particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field. The further south you are, the better your chances. Most of South Africa sits too far north for regular sightings. However, during periods of intense solar activity, like this week, auroras can stretch farther than usual, occasionally lighting up the southern skies over South Africa. These events are rare and unpredictable, but when they happen, they make for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While no place in South Africa guarantees a view, the following locations are your best bet due to their southern latitude, clear skies, and low light pollution: Why it's good: Sutherland is home to the South African Astronomical Observatory and is famous for its dark skies and dry climate. It's also one of the coldest and most remote towns in South Africa, giving you dark, crisp skies with minimal interference. Why it's good: This is the southernmost point of Africa, making it the closest you can get to Antarctica without leaving the continent. Wide horizons and ocean views also increase your chances of catching low-hanging auroras. Why it's good: Just east of Cape Agulhas, this coastal village offers unobstructed views over the southern ocean. The little town also has very little light pollution and open skies facing directly south. Why it's good: These spots south of Cape Town provide clear, south-facing ocean views and easy access from the city. Higher elevations like Cape Point can give you a wider view of the horizon, improving visibility. Why it's good: High elevation, low light pollution, and wide, open southern horizons make this your top option in the KZN province. You're also looking out over Lesotho and the southern Drakensberg range, away from major light sources. Follow solar weather reports: Use tools like NOAA's Aurora Forecast or apps like My Aurora Forecast. Use tools like NOAA's Aurora Forecast or apps like My Aurora Forecast. Find dark sky locations: Get far from city lights – this makes all the difference. Get far from city lights – this makes all the difference. Use a camera: Sometimes the aurora is too faint for the naked eye but shows up in long-exposure shots. Sometimes the aurora is too faint for the naked eye but shows up in long-exposure shots. Stay patient: You could wait hours and see nothing. Or get lucky in ten minutes. There's no guarantee. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
South Africans may witness rare southern lights after solar storm
Parts of South Africa could witness the Aurora Australis, or southern lights, lighting up the sky tonight. Zululand Observer reports that this comes after a coronal mass ejection struck Earth's magnetic field yesterday morning. According to Snow News, this solar impact triggered strong (G3) to severe (G4) geomagnetic storms. The northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, were seen as far south as California and Carolina in the USA, while Australians enjoyed the southern lights spectacle yesterday. Reports indicate conditions are favourable for certain areas in South Africa to catch a glimpse of this rare celestial event. As noted by forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA) and the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia) suggest G4-level storms are expected to persist until Wednesday morning, with potential escalation to G5 – the most intense level. While South Africans in the far south are most likely to watch the spectacle, some KZN residents were lucky enough to witness it last year. That display was reportedly due to a 'historic' G5 geomagnetic storm – the most powerful since 2003 – caused by multiple coronal mass ejections from the sun. Aurora Australis dancing over Merimbula Lake in NSW, Australia this evening. — Fiona Brook (@The_Feefenator) June 1, 2025 Wow!!! Some pics from Last nights Aurora Australis in & around Dunedin (My home city) & maybe some other areas. I didn't get to see but it's likely back this evening and maybe tomorrow!! Absolutely stunning!! Check it out @Kyangs_Thang@DunAuroraAlerts hey guys I know you… — Leon Gustave Tenzin wangchuk Sergei Stuart (@GustaveLeon) June 2, 2025 Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
3 days ago
- Climate
- The South African
Rare Southern Lights to make an appearance in South Africa
South Africans who have been waiting for their chance to see the stunning Southern Lights this year, may just be in luck. A powerful solar flare has just about created the perfect conditions for this rare celestial event to appear in our skies this week. As reported by Good Things Guy , South Africans could be getting a front-row seat to the Southern Lights, also known as Aurora Australis, a picture-perfect wave of colour that will spread across our night skies. Last year, the Southern Lights appeared twice over South Africa, a total treat for sky-watchers. The Southern Lights are a natural light display that appears in the night sky of the Southern Hemisphere, and are the Southern Hemisphere's equivalent of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). This Aurora is caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with Earth's magnetic field. The collision excites the gases in the upper atmosphere, causing them to glow with various colours. If you look up at the night sky when they occur, you will see a variety of hues, including the most common ones which are green and red, but other colours like purple and blue can also be seen. The aurora can also appear as a faint white cloud, green beams, or a colourful, dynamic display. According to Cape Town Etc , ideal spots for the show extend along South Africa's eastern and southern coasts, from just north of Durban down to Cape Town in a near-straight line. Dark skies are recommended for optimal viewing. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
