Image: Krista Kim
Experts predict another captivating light show in the sky just two months after the last major geomagnetic storm.
Wyndham residents might have another opportunity to witness an aurora lighting up the sky, with experts predicting another weather event tonight.
Just two months after the state’s largest geomagnetic storm in 20 years painted the sky in pink, green, and purple, meteorologists have cautiously forecast another display.
The aurora is expected to be most visible on Tuesday evening, though the Bureau of Meteorology has cautioned it won’t be as intense as the one in May. “Auroras can appear as a steady glow or moving curtains of light in the night sky,” the bureau explained.
“These phenomena result from charged particles from the Earth’s magnetosphere colliding with atoms in the upper atmosphere.
“These charged particles are accelerated down magnetic field lines towards the Earth’s atmosphere in regions around the poles known as auroral ovals.”
The bureau noted that the different colours seen in auroras depend on the types of atoms involved in these collisions and their interactions with the charged particles.
“Auroras are typically visible only near the poles,” it said.
“However, their visibility at lower latitudes — like southern Australia — usually coincides with major geomagnetic storms.” The best viewing times will be between 10pm and 2am, with Werribee South being one of the closer and more popular viewing spots.
