Aurora Australis May Be Visible Friday Night
The colorful aurora australis could be seen from southern Australia on Friday night, weather and moonlight permitting, following a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun.
What Is a Coronal Mass Ejection?
CMEs are eruptions of solar material and magnetic fields released from the sun. When they reach Earth, they can trigger geomagnetic storms, sometimes causing auroras near the poles in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Expected Impact and Aurora Watch
Two CMEs were detected from the sun on November 5, leading the Bureau of Meteorology’s Space Weather Service to issue an aurora watch on November 6. The service 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.”
Observing the Aurora Australis
The auroral displays appear as colorful lights in the night sky, especially at higher latitudes. The image below was captured in Shoalhaven, NSW in June 2025.
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Author's summary: A solar eruption may produce visible auroras over southern Australia Friday night, depending on cloud cover and moonlight conditions.