Cape Town, there’s a storm coming! And no, our daytime skies are still the deep blue of early summer, but out in the inky blackness of space, right now there is a solar storm of charged particles hurtling towards Earth that could make tonight your best chance this year for seeing the Aurora Australis in the Cape.
This week, the South African Space Weather Centre has issued a warning for a G4 geomagnetic storm. These storms, caused by solar flares released from the surface of the Sun, range in intensity from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). So, this week’s one is something of a doozy!
“The biggest geomagnetic storm of the year to date is currently in progress, said the South African National Space Agency in a statement. “The SANSA Space Weather Centre expects storm conditions to reach between G1 and G4 levels, which will affect Earth and our technological systems up until 14 November 2025. Aurora is rarely seen in South Africa due to our distance from the polar region. However, photographers might want to keep their cameras handy.”
Peak solar activity is expected tonight – 13 November – providing sky-watchers in the Western Cape with a small – but genuine – chance of seeing the ghostly red shimmer of Aurora Australis low on the southern horizon. Not convinced? Don’t forget the May 2024 solar showcase, when the aurora was photographed over Clarence Drive, Simon’s Town, and Gansbaai!
When to look for aurora
The darkest hours of the night – roughly 8.30pm to 4am – on nights when the storm remains at G3–G4 levels (currently forecast around 12–13 November) are the best.
Where to look for aurora
The aurora is most active near the Earth’s poles, so face due south and keep your eyes low on the horizon. Look for faint bands or a subtle red/green ‘glow’ above the horizon. Sadly, you won’t see dramatic curtains of light overhead.
Also, try to make your immediate environment as dark as possible, so avoid car headlights, torches, and phone screens for 15 minutes to let your eyes adjust.
Where to go from Cape Town
You want somewhere as dark and southern as possible. Agulhas National Park is ideal, but it might be a bit far to drive. Some other top spots include:
- Clarence Drive: this scenic route between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-Els is already a renowned spot for Southern Lights sightings, offering expansive southern skies and ocean vistas.
- Cape Point: While the Park is closed at night, savvy sky-watchers can book an overnight cottage. Otherwise, park on the road above Smitswinkel Bay.
- Boyes Drive: Quick and accessible, but you’ll need to deal with quite a bit of light pollution.
How to get the shot
Your smartphone is your friend when searching for faint auroras. In fact, while you might only see faint smudges, taking a long exposure or using night mode often reveals vivid colours in the picture.
What are Geomagnetic Storms?
Impress your friends with some trivia while you wait for the aurora. According to SANSA, geomagnetic storms are caused by coronal mass ejections—vast clouds of charged particles released during a solar explosion on the surface of the sun. When these particles reach Earth and collide with our magnetic field, they can trigger geomagnetic storms responsible for producing spectacular auroras. The downside? These storms can also cause disruptions in technological systems such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), which affect aviation, maritime, and drone industries. During large storms, communication, electrical power grids, and electronic infrastructure can also be impacted.
While the G4 hitting Earth this week boosts our chances, seeing the aurora from Cape Town is rare and not guaranteed. Fortunately, the weather forecast is for clear skies, so why not take your chances, head out late, and wish upon a star?
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