Australia’s southeastern skies lit up in a mesmerising display of the Aurora Australis, marking the start of 2025 with a celestial wonder. On New Year’s Day, vibrant green and purple hues adorned the skies over Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales, captivating onlookers across the region.
A Celestial Spectacle
From the evening of January 1 to the early hours of January 2, the southern lights painted the skies, visible to the naked eye due to clear weather and a strong geomagnetic storm. The intense auroral activity, with a Kp index fluctuating between 6 and 7, ensured an extraordinary light show. The Kp index measures geomagnetic activity, with higher numbers indicating stronger storms.
Social media platforms buzzed with awe-filled posts, showcasing time-lapse videos and photos of the aurora. A time-lapse video from Perth, Western Australia, and photos from various regions highlighted the vivid interplay of colours.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
Aurora Timelapse From Last Nights G4 KP8 Solar Storm From Perth, Western Australia Between 10:20pm And 11:00pm 🌌 #AuroraAustralis #MooningCrew #Perth #PerthNews #PerthWeather #SouthWestWA #SolarStorm #WesternAustralia pic.twitter.com/GnHeParqTi
— Weather WA (@weather_wa) January 1, 2025
Cities and Countrysides Witness the Phenomenon
In Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, the aurora’s brilliance pierced through city lights, offering urban dwellers a rare opportunity to witness the natural wonder. Similarly, Perth’s outskirts and the picturesque town of Margaret River in Western Australia enjoyed breathtaking views.
Science Behind the Lights
The Aurora Australis occurs when charged solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field during geomagnetic storms. These interactions generate vibrant atmospheric colours. With the sun nearing the peak of its 11-year magnetic cycle, increased solar activity has amplified the frequency and intensity of such displays.
