15/09/2024
Dear friends in southern Australia, New Zealand and anywhere below the Tropic of Capricorn
Monday/Tuesday evenings (our time) could be a spectacular opportunity for Aurora Viewing.
I've been chasing the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) since 2017, following our extraordinary experience with the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Norway back then. Being up in the Arctic Circle with the lights dancing in the night sky is an experience that few words can describe, it has to be felt.
Whilst we are too high up from the Antarctic circle for the dancing lights to be seen here in Australia, we do get the most spectacular colours and it really is still breath-taking to see.
What you'll need is minimal light pollution (cities are out generally for viewing), you must be facing true south, your camera may capture colours not seen by the naked eye. The better lens setting capacity your camera has, the better the result although there's been some amazing footage shot on iPhones in recent times. There must be clear skies - aka - no clouds or minimal clouds. And ideally a new/no moon. We are about to reach a full moon in the next few days so this MAY impact visibility.
From Melbourne, some of the best viewing spots include:
going west - Werribee South beach, Torquay, and along the Great Ocean Road south facing beaches/cliff edges. Then south/east to Lang Lang, Kilcunda Beach, Phillip Island and Cape Paterson lighthouse on the Mornington Peninsula. They can be seen SOMETIMES in higher altitude areas north of Melbourne too, including all the way up to Wodonga/Albury and even higher but rarely. You MAY see them from around Ricketts Point in Melbourne but light pollution will water-down the colours, if not diminish them completely. They HAVE been seen in Williamstown but only a couple of times in the past few years. Anywhere city based is a LONG shot!
From Tassie, anywhere without light pollution, with elevation or on the shores with a view of true south.
To check cloud coverage where you may want to view the Aurora Australis, go to at sunset today or tomorrow http://satview.bom.gov.au/ .
Hope you get to experience The Lights (which are solar bursts from the sun bouncing off our atmosphere at the magnetic points).
It's a very special experience and I will continue to share great footage that friends and members of the many Aurora communities I am a member of share here and on Insta so you can share in the joy anyway.
Jen xo