The night sky may soon be illuminated by the breathtaking colors of the aurora australis, also known as the southern lights. This event follows a recent coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun. The phenomenon could be visible from southern regions of Australia on Friday night, depending on clear weather conditions.
Coronal mass ejections are large bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields released from the sun's corona. When these charged particles reach Earth, they interact with its magnetic field, triggering geomagnetic storms. These storms produce auroras—natural light displays usually seen near the poles.
During a CME event, charged solar particles collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere. This collision generates vibrant colors that light up the sky in dynamic movements.
These regions are known for aurora visibility, especially when solar activity is high.
The southern lights "could become visible from southern parts of Australia on Friday night, contingent on favorable weather conditions."
An exciting natural spectacle, the aurora australis offers a rare opportunity to witness the sun's powerful influence on our planet.
Summary: This Friday night, southern Australia may experience a spectacular aurora australis display caused by a recent solar eruption, visible if weather permits.