Aurora Australis Dazzles Southeastern Australia in Rare New Year’s Display

A powerful geomagnetic storm lit up the skies with green and purple hues, visible across Tasmania and southern mainland Australia.

The Aurora Australis was visible from Tasmania and parts of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales on New Year's Day and early January 2.
The vibrant display was caused by a severe geomagnetic storm, with the Kp index reaching levels of 6 to 7, indicating strong solar activity.
Clear skies and the sun's current solar maximum, a peak in its 11-year magnetic cycle, contributed to the extraordinary visibility of the aurora.
The light show was so intense that it was visible in urban areas like Hobart, Tasmania, despite city lights typically obscuring such phenomena.
Experts suggest more auroral displays could occur in the near future, though their exact timing remains unpredictable due to the dynamic nature of solar activity.