Aurora displays now closer than ever

Last week, stargazers across Europe and the United States were treated to a stunning display of the aurora borealis, as the northern lights shimmered across the skies from the Scottish Highlands down to the southern reaches of Kent in the UK.

What was once considered a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle — often requiring a bucket-list journey to the Arctic Circle — now appears to be gracing the skies with increasing regularity.

As geomagnetic storms become more frequent, thanks to heightened solar activity, opportunities to witness this celestial marvel are growing, with both the aurora australis and aurora borealis now visible in places that you wouldn’t neccesarily expect to see the colourful skies.

So, for travellers eager to experience the magic firsthand, it’s an exciting time to plan a trip, or perhaps simply keep an eye on the night sky.

To stay updated on aurora alerts, sign up for the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre’s (ASWFC) online portal at listserver.ips.gov.au/mailman/listinfo/ips-aurora-alert.