Aurora Australis Illuminates Skies Across South Australia and Tasmania

The Aurora Australis, also known as the southern lights, put on a spectacular display in the early hours of Saturday morning, enchanting stargazers across South Australia and Tasmania. The celestial phenomenon, triggered by solar flares emitting charged particles that interact with Earth's magnetic field, lit up the night sky with its mesmerizing colors.

Adelaide photographer Simon Deluca-Cardillo captured a stunning long exposure shot of the Aurora Australis near Kuitpo Forest after patiently waiting for the moon to set at 3 am. Deluca-Cardillo described the lights as going berserk and noted that they were visible to the naked eye. His dedication paid off as the perfect conditions emerged, allowing the sky to "go out with a bang" in a vivid display until around 4:30 am.

Sightings of the southern lights were also reported across Tasmania, with photographer Jules Witek sharing images of "one of the brightest auroras" he had seen in a while. The Aurora Australis, typically visible closer to the Antarctic Circle, occasionally graces the skies further north, treating observers to a rare and breathtaking natural light show.

Why this matters: The Aurora Australis sightings serve as a reminder of the awe-inspiring beauty and power of nature. As solar activity is expected to increase leading up to the solar maximum in July 2025, stargazers and photographers alike can anticipate more frequent and intense displays of the southern lights in the coming years.

Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun collide with atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere, causing them to emit light. The colors of the aurora depend on the type of atoms involved in the collision and the altitude at which the interaction takes place. Deluca-Cardillo's photographs, which include a shot of a shooting star next to the Aurora, have captivated thousands of viewers on social media, showcasing the magnificence of this celestial event.

Key Takeaways

• Aurora Australis, the southern lights, dazzled skies in SA and TAS.
• Photographer captured stunning long exposure shots of the vivid display.
• Auroras occur when solar particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.
• Sightings expected to increase as solar activity peaks in 2025.
• Auroras' colors depend on atmospheric atoms involved in the collisions.