Ok, nobody panic – it's officially the first big Aurora Australis sighting of the season, which was sparked by a severe geomagnetic storm. And we could not be more excited! To help you prepare for this magical and rare phenomenon, we've pulled together the ultimate guide to seeing the famed southern lights before the disappear once more. Trust us, this is one ethereal light show you don't want to miss.
Recommended: the best spots to see the Aurora Australis in Victoria
Will the Aurora Australis be visible in Melbourne and Victoria tonight?
The storm first sparked on Sunday, June 1 – and while it's expected to weaken over the coming days, there's still a good chance of catching the Aurora Australis tonight (Monday, June 2) in parts of southern Australia, including Melbourne and Victoria.
To keep track of it, this website has a few maps of the atmosphere and gives an Aurora prediction a Kp number, a measuring system that goes from zero to nine (zero being very weak and nine meaning strong auroras are visible). Plus, according to the BOM, which also issues Aurora alerts, it's looking like we're in for a "minor storm" tonight. Sounds good to us!
For more real-time updates, this Facebook group provides info on when you can see the southern lights right across Australia.
Where can I see the Aurora Australis in Melbourne and Victoria?
The general advice for any Melburnian is to get as far away from the city lights as possible. If you can't do that though, aim for an elevated viewing point or a spot on the beach – locations like Rickett's Point in Beaumaris and Point Ormond Lookout in St Kilda are popular, or if you're out west head to Werribee South and Point Cook.
In regional Victoria, we’d suggest Point Lonsdale, Cape Schanck, Flinders, the south side of Phillip Island, Tidal River at Wilsons Promontory, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea or wherever there’s an uninterrupted horizon view.
What is the Aurora Australis?
The Aurora Australis is a breathtaking natural light display that glows across the southern skies, also referred to as the Southern Hemisphere’s equivalent of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). It occurs when charged electrons from the sun collide with gas molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. These particles are first launched from the sun’s surface, then accelerated again by Earth’s magnetic field, creating glowing waves of colour that ripple through the night sky.
How to maximise your chance of seeing the Aurora Australis
Want to see the magical phenomenon? Of course you do! Along with heading to some of the locations we mentioned above, conditions in the sky need to be as clear and cloud-free as possible. And try to find a dark location with as little light pollution as possible.
What’s the best time to see the Aurora Australis?
The best sightings are when the skies are darkest – typically around 10pm and 2am. A southern lights display generally lasts one to three hours, and the BOM issues an Aurora alert it's most likely to be visible. Keep an eye out here if you’re keen to catch a glimpse.
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