Aurora australis possible on Friday night, cloud and moonlight permitting

Aurora Australis Possible on Friday Night

The colorful aurora australis may be visible from southern Australia on Friday night, depending on cloud cover and moonlight. This follows a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun.

What is a Coronal Mass Ejection?

CMEs are eruptions of solar material and magnetic fields from the sun. When a CME reaches Earth, it can trigger geomagnetic storms, sometimes producing auroras near the poles in both hemispheres. These displays manifest as vibrant colors in the night sky.

“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.”

Bureau of Meteorology’s Space Weather Service

Recent Solar Activity

Two CMEs were observed from the sun on November 5. This prompted the Bureau of Meteorology’s Space Weather Service to issue an aurora watch on November 6.

Aurora australis from Shoalhaven, NSW in June 2025. Source: @micksamsonphoto / Instagram

Additional Information

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Author's summary: A solar eruption may create visible auroras over southern Australia Friday night, depending on weather conditions and moonlight, offering a rare celestial display.

Weatherzone — 2025-11-07