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Aurora australis possible on Friday night, cloud and moonlight permitting

The colourful aurora australis may become visible from southern parts of Australia on Friday night following a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun.

CMEs are eruptions of solar material and magnetic field from the sun. When a CME reaches Earth, it can cause a geomagnetic storm that sometimes produces an auroral display at high latitudes (close to the poles) in Earth’s northern and southern hemispheres. These auroral displays appear as colours in the night sky.

Image: Aurora australis from Shoalhaven, NSW in June 2025. Source: @micksamsonphoto / Instagram

Two CMEs were detected from the sun on November 5, prompting the Bureau of Meteorology’s Space Weather Service to issue an aurora watch on November 6. This watch stated:

“A coronal mass ejection is expected to impact the Earth within the next 48 hours, possibly resulting in significant geomagnetic activity and visible auroras during local nighttime hours. Aurora alerts will follow if significant geomagnetic activity actually occurs.”

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Service also predicts a moderate to strong geomagnetic storm on Friday and a moderate geomagnetic storm continuing Saturday, which could cause auroras.

Image: Aurora australis from Bright, Vic in January 2025. Source: @jamesofbright / Instagram

Unfortunately, aurora watchers in southern Australia will have to contend with cloud cover associated with a cold front and light from a near full moon on Friday night. If an aurora does occur, this cloud and moonlight will make viewing difficult in some areas.

The best conditions for viewing the aurora australis are clear nights with a new moon, when there is little light or cloud to interrupt the view.