Aurora Australis: Australian stargazers can catch a glimpse of the spectacular light show tonight
- Aurora Australis is expected again on Sunday
- Sydneysiders missed Saturday night
Stargazers could be ready for another dazzling light show after the night sky was illuminated across the country by Aurora Australis for the second consecutive night.
Aussies from Mackay in the north to Tasmania in the south were treated to colorful greens, pinks and purples as a massive geomagnetic storm hit Earth.
Images of the stunning light display flooded social media as millions of people lit up their backyards in the middle of the night on Saturday.
However, disappointed Sydneysiders and Canberrans missed the light show on Saturday evening, shrouded in dark clouds and rain.
There is hope that those who missed it will get one last chance on Sunday evening, with 10pm to 2am being the best viewing time.
Aussies could be treated to another dazzling light show as a geomagnetic storm continues to produce Aurora Australis. Pictured is the breathtaking view from Oatlands, Tasmania on Saturday evening
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted that the geomagnetic storm, while not as strong, could bring back the light show on Sunday evening.
Australian Space Weather Forecasting Center manager Kate Brand said Saturday night’s light show was unusual.
“Aurora is usually seen near the North Pole or the South Pole, but when the sun has been really active there has been quite a bit of space weather activity,” Dr. Fire to AAP.
She added that Aurora Australis could be seen on Sunday evening, but “maybe not that far north.”
“We expect them to be visible in southern parts of Australia,” Dr Brand said.
“So in Tasmania, South Australia, southern Victoria and maybe southern NSW.”
The storm over Australia reached geomagnetic storm level G4, which is considered severe and has not been observed since 2004.
Sydneysiders and Canberrans were unable to see the cosmic event (pictured) on Saturday evening as cloud cover blocked their view
Images of the stunning light show flooded social media as millions of people had their backyards illuminated by blinding green, pink and red lights in the middle of the night. Pictured is Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne
Dr. Brand said geomagnetic storms are not dangerous to people, but can impact technology and communications infrastructure.
“For example, satellites used for position navigation and timing could be affected, it could cause increased currents in the electricity network and things like high frequency or HF communications could also be affected,” she said.
BOM lowered the current geomagnetic storm level to G3 at 1 p.m. Sunday, which is considered strong.
“Aurora sightings are possible this evening at low latitudes across Australia, including Tasmania and areas of southern NSW and Victoria,” the agency said.