Aurora Australis expected to light Western Australian skies Friday
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 05:55 · Archive
A geomagnetic storm is forecast to bring rare Aurora Australis displays to Western Australia on Friday night. The Bureau of Meteorology's space weather forecasting centre has predicted potential Southern Lights across large parts of Australia, including Western Australia's southern fringe, with colours including violet, teal and electric green.
The Aurora Australis occurs when a cloud of charged solar material from the sun travels towards Earth. Strong geomagnetic activity can project obvious greens, pinks and purples across the sky, though fainter activity may only produce a subtle glow on the horizon.
Astronomer Matt Woods told PerthNow that auroras are rare in 2026. The sun follows an 11-year cycle, he explained, and was particularly active around 2024–25. Now that the cycle is beginning again, less activity and fewer auroras are expected. The new moon will provide ideal conditions with pitch-black skies and no moonlight pollution.
Observers should wait 75 to 90 minutes after sunset to see the aurora, as it cannot be seen during daylight. In Perth on 9 October, this means looking from approximately 6:23pm AWST onwards. The lights do not glow continuously but instead appear in bursts lasting 10 to 15 minutes throughout the night.
How it is being reported
- Aurora Australis: Where, how, what time to see & capture rare southern lights across WA skies on FridayA rare phenomenon is set to light up WA’s skies in ethereal shades of violet, teal and electric green on Friday night. Here are some hints and tips for how to see it and how to best capture it on your phone.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 05:18
- Aurora Australis: Where, how, what time to see & capture rare southern lights across WA skies on FridayA rare phenomenon is set to light up WA’s skies in ethereal shades of violet, teal and electric green on Friday night. Here are some hints and tips for how to see it and how to best capture it on your phone.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 05:18
In this story: Western Australia · Perth · Australia · Bureau of Meteorology · Matt Woods
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