Aurora Australis visible across large parts of Australia Friday
Rare Southern Lights will be visible across most Australian states Friday night in violet and electric green.
Australia's skies will light up Friday in shades of violet, teal and electric green as the Aurora Australis becomes visible across large parts of the country. Tasmania and Victoria have the best chances, with good chances in parts of NSW, the ACT, South Australia and Western Australia.
Charged material from the sun travels to Earth and triggers a geomagnetic storm, which causes the display. It's rare in 2026 because the sun is early in its 11-year activity cycle, making auroras less common than in 2024-25.
The display will arrive 75 to 90 minutes after sunset and will roll through in bursts lasting 10 to 15 minutes each.
- Violet, teal, electric green
- Colors visible
- Tasmania and Victoria
- Best viewing states
- 75 to 90 minutes
- Time after sunset
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Burst duration
Why it mattersThe Aurora Australis is genuinely rare in Australia right now. A new moon and clear skies mean Friday offers an uncommonly good viewing window.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
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