Aurora Australis Forecast to Dazzle Across Western Australia
An extraordinary aurora australis is expected to light up skies across Western Australia this week, possibly reaching as far north as Perth. However, scientists caution that the current cycle of strong aurora activity may soon decline.
Known as the Southern Lights, the aurora australis is the southern hemisphere’s counterpart to the aurora borealis. It occurs when charged solar particles, carried by the solar wind, collide with atmospheric gases after being drawn toward Earth’s magnetic poles.
These interactions release energy that produces vibrant light displays. The glow’s color depends on gas type and altitude: oxygen generates green and red shades, while nitrogen contributes purple and blue tones. According to the Perth Observatory,
“It’s the same process that powers a neon sign, just on a planetary scale.”
Forecasts suggest the aurora will be visible along much of Australia’s southern coastline on Wednesday and Thursday nights, with Perth and Sydney marking the northernmost viewing points.
“The first coronal mass ejection (CME) has just hit an hour and a half ago, and the second CME is about to hit! One more is following these two, and it’s this one we’re really waiting for, that’s the heavy hitter!”
wrote the Perth Observatory on social media Wednesday morning.
Author’s Summary
The Southern Lights are projected to put on a brilliant show over Western Australia, offering one of the season’s last major aurora events.