If seeing the Southern skies come alive in greens, pinks, and purples was on your 2025 bucket list, last night delivered just in time. Scientists predicted strong geomagnetic activity on 9 December 2025, meaning the Aurora Australis was visible across much of Southern Australia and parts of New Zealand.
When is the next Aurora Australis?
Unfortunately, displays like these are hard to predict. There is currently strong solar activity predicted to continue to the end of 2025, which improves chances of a vivid display, as do geomagnetic storms, like the one on December 9.
To know exactly when the next Aurora Australis will hit, you’ll need to closely monitor space weather updates.
Where could you see it
Southern regions had the clearest shots at the aurora, with those in Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia poised for the best view. However, strong solar activity often pushes the lights further north than usual, potentially reaching southern New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand.
To make the most of an aurora australis, find a dark, open location with as few artificial lights as possible — beaches, hills, or open fields away from populated areas work best. The more horizon you can see, the better your chances of catching the full display.
What time to look to the sky
According to space weather forecasts, the best window for viewing was around 75–95 minutes after sunset, roughly between 6:00pm and 9:00pm AEDT. Keep in mind that space weather can be unpredictable, so it’s worth checking live updates over the next 24 hours if you want to time it perfectly.
What actually causes it?
Last night’s potential spectacle was the result of a solar flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) hitting Earth’s magnetic field. When the charged particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, they create the shimmering green, pink, and purple lights we know as the Aurora Australis. The stronger the geomagnetic storm, the further north the lights can reach.
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Feature image by Luca Calderone via Unsplash.
