Aurora Australis dances over Southland and Otago skies
The night sky above Kaitangata came alive with vivid green, red, and purple hues as Aurora Australis illuminated the heavens over Southland and Otago. The natural phenomenon, also known as the southern lights, painted the horizon in waves of color shifting gently across the dark sky.
Night of vibrant colors
Residents gathered to witness the spectacle, often described as an ever-changing dance of light in shades of blue, red, yellow, green, and orange.
“That’s our usual spot to try and catch a glimpse of the ‘pretty lights’, as my girls call them,” said Leeana Ferguson, who took her two young daughters to Summer Hill Road in Kaitangata to watch the display.
How auroras form
The aurora appears when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field. These interactions cause geomagnetic storms that produce the glowing curtains of light seen in the sky.
Best time to witness the display
Although the southern lights can be seen throughout the year, they are most visible during the equinoxes in March and September, when the nights are longer and darker.
“The beams looking out onto Kaka Point were clearly visible to the naked eye. I think this is about the third time this year I’ve been lucky enough to get good photos of the aurora,” Ferguson said.
Author’s summary
The southern lights turned the skies over Southland and Otago into a glowing canvas, delighting locals and showcasing nature’s dazzling artistry.