The Aurora Australis southern lights have put on a spectacular display across the southern states over the past few nights and the weather bureau says it’s not over yet.
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There could still be one more chance to see the pink, red and green lights over the southern skies on Thursday.
Another burst of activity is on its way and while Bureau of Meteorology space weather forecaster Phillip Maher thinks it’s likely to hit at about 8am there’s still hope for one more show.
‘‘There’s a chance it may arrive slightly earlier than anticipated. So if it does turn up before 6am (Thursday) people are going to have a chance to see,’’ he said.
‘‘Geomagnetic activity will be strong enough too that, even it it doesn’t arrive until 10am, there’s still a good chance for aurora sightings on Thursday night.’’
Video courtesy of Nathan Miller
The lights are caused by a burst of magnetic energy from the sun that enters the earth’s magnetic field through the poles, resulting in Aurora Australis in the south and Aurora Borealis in the north.
Stronger bursts of energy mean the lights can be seen further north than normal.
‘‘They’re best in Tasmania or southern Victoria, or if they’re very strong they can be seen in southern NSW,’’ Mr Maher said.
Photos have flooded social media from Monday and Tuesday night, showing the lights could be seen brightly from the NSW coast and even Sydney’s northern beaches.
The lights have also been seen in southern parts of Western Australia.
Aurora Australis displays are more common in the solar maximum period of the sun’s 11-year cycle, Mr Maher said.
As the sun is in the later part of that cycle there is an increased chance of aurora sightings over the next few years.
AAP
