The good news is, you can enjoy the southern polar lights all year-round in New Zealand. There are times when they’ll appear shorter or later during the night, but if you play your cards right, you can catch a glimpse of this beautiful phenomenon every time you visit New Zealand.
Can the aurora australis be seen from New Zealand?
But if you’re not planning to book a cabin on the next icebreaker to Antarctica, New Zealand has some prime spots for aurora gazing. While sightings of the aurora australis on the North Island are rare, the South Island is certainly your best bet.
It is possible to see the Aurora Australis from Queenstown. But with the constant lights, it will be less impressive. There are plenty of locations close to Queenstown that are free from light pollution. Some of these include Stewart Island and The Catlins.
Can Australia see the Southern Lights?
If you’ve ever heard of the aurora australis, you might wonder: is it possible to see the aurora australis in Australia? They are named for Australia, after all! Yes, it’s possible to see the aurora australis ” also called the southern lights ” in Australia! You just need to know when and where to go.
The Southern Lights can only be seen from a few places in the world”far fewer than the Northern Lights, actually”but any traveler heading to the island of South Georgia; Stewart Island, New Zealand; the Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; or Antarctica needs to make sure they’re on the list.
Can you see the Southern Lights from Christchurch?
Located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest in the world and only one in the southern hemisphere, Lake Tekapo is well known among stargazers. Get here by bus or drive in from Christchurch (141mi/227km away) or Queenstown (160mi/256km away).
Are Southern Lights as good as northern lights?
As mentioned above, there really is no significant difference between the Northern Lights and the Southern Lights. Both are truly wonderful and are something everyone should try and see.
Can you see the southern lights from Dunedin?
You need a clear view to the south. The best places to do that are dark beaches on the east coast of the southern part of South Island. In Dunedin you can for example go to: Second Beach, St Clair.
What is the best time of year to see the southern lights?
The Southern Lights are best viewed on dark, clear nights. Winter is generally best since the nights are longer. In the Southern Hemisphere, that is generally between March to September.
Where should I stay to see the southern lights?
Pedder Wilderness Lodge is one of the best places in the world to view the aurora australis, as the hotel looks directly south across Lake Pedder and the mountains beyond.
How often does aurora australis occur?
Unlike Aurora Borealis, which is subject to extreme seasonal light changes, the Southern Lights can be viewed all year round ” although most commonly during winter, May to August, and during the spring equinox in September.
Can you see the Southern Lights from Tasmania?
That said, the Southern Lights can be seen year round from Tasmania. No one knows precisely when a light show may occur. Space weather maps and predictions are helpful, but ultimately the sun decides. The Aurora Australis Tasmania Facebook page is a great way to keep up with real-time sightings.
Where can I see aurora in Hobart?
Can you see the Southern Lights from Argentina?
Patagonia, Chile & Argentina Patagonia is the southernmost tip of South America, meaning it is very possible to see the Southern Lights here, too. Though lesser-known as an Aurora spot, May and July are good months to visit if you’re hoping for a chance of a sighting.
What time of year is best to see aurora australis?
The best time of year to see the lights is around winter and the equinox in September, but you can theoretically see the Southern Lights from Tasmania all year round.
Why are there no Southern Lights?
Fairly simple, really. That being said, the reason the southern lights are not as popular is due to their extremely remote location, and in turn, are much harder to access for travellers who make the journey thousands of miles away to witness this fascinating occurrence in real life.
Where can I watch aurora in New Zealand?
Do the southern lights look different?
In the north, the phenomenon is called the aurora borealis or the northern lights. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the aurora australis, or southern lights. The name is different and it turns out that the view from each pole can be different too.
How far south can you see the northern lights?
To observers at far-northern latitudes, the Lights are a frequent occurrence, but many who live in more temperate climates have never seen them, even though they are occasionally seen as far south as 35 degrees North latitude.
How often can you see the southern lights?
The Southern Lights are generally visible from March to September, when the nights are longer. The spring equinox (22 September) period is one of the prime times to catch the lights as well. Like its sibling up north, dark, clear nights are critical to catching the most vibrant sightings of the Southern Lights.
Can you see the Southern Lights from Wellington?
Mount Wellington, Tasmania Unsurprisingly, Mount Wellington, located close to Hobart on the southeast coastal region, has been known to provide an unobstructed view of the southern lights on a clear night.
How can I see aurora?
To see the aurora borealis, you need to be in the right place at the right time and have the correct viewing conditions. The best time to see the northern lights are on dark, clear nights in the winter months and close to a New Moon. Generally, from September to April are the best viewing months.
Can you see southern lights with naked eyes?
The Southern Lights rarely seem colourful to the naked eye. This is because humans struggle to see colours at night. Instead, they might look like a white or grey glow shifting and transforming on the horizon. But this doesn’t mean the colours are not there; with a camera, you can capture their true beauty.
How do you photograph southern lights?
A good starting place for your camera settings would be shutter speed at 18 seconds, ISO at 4000, and your aperture at the lowest possible, preferably at f2. 8 to f2 to let in as much light at possible. If your camera lens doesn’t go down to f2. 8, set it at the lowest possible aperture.
Can you see the southern lights from Hobart?
As Tasmania’s biggest city, Hobart might be a surprising destination to see the southern lights ” but it is possible to do so. Admittedly, you’ll need to find a dark part of the city to reduce light pollution, but if your trip to Tasmania is limited to Hobart or other cities, you can still try and spot the aurora.
What color are the southern lights?
The most commonly seen colours are green, red and violet; the colours depend on energy of the incoming solar particles, and the type of atmospheric gases they interact with. Sometimes the lights move and change fairly quickly and sometimes they are stable for hours.
Can you see the aurora australis from Melbourne?
Melbourne is the largest city in Victoria, so it’s not easy to find dark-sky spots in the city. For the aurora australis hunt, you will need to travel outside Melbourne wherever there’s an uninterrupted horizon view facing south.
Can you see the Southern Lights from the Falklands?
The Falkland Islands are the perfect location to spot the Southern Lights, just 400 miles off the coast of South America. The islands are incredibly beautiful and are home to some amazing wildlife too: penguins, elephant seals and more!
Are there southern lights over Antarctica?
Called the southern lights, or aurora australis, it’s the southern cousin to the aurora borealis and can best be seen from the most southern of landmasses, such as Tasmania, New Zealand and Antarctica.
Does Antarctica get aurora borealis?
Best Places to See Northern Lights This auroral zone covers Central and northern Alaska and Canada, Greenland, northern Scandinavia and Russia in the Northern Hemisphere, and Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere. In the south, auroras can sometimes be seen from southern Australia, New Zealand, and Chile.
Can you see aurora in Antarctica?
The answer is yes, though they are not referred to as the “Northern Lights.” Auroras occur around both the North and South Poles, but auroras that occur in the southern hemisphere don’t get much attention for various reasons. Read on to learn about auroras in Antarctica.
Can you see aurora with naked eyes?
Auroras appear to the naked eye as a very faint, white glow in the night sky to the magnetic north. Many auroras are totally invisible to the naked eye or can only be seen by looking at them indirectly, i.e. out of the corner of your eye. It is extremely rare to see them in colour with the naked eye.
Where can I see aurora in Launceston?
1- Bridestowe Lavender Estate. Tasmania is one of the best places to get an eyeful of the Southern Aurora. Unfortunately, Bridestowe Lavender Estate isn’t open to the public at night for Aurora Australis viewing. Australia’s oldest and largest lavender farm is 55km north-east of Launceston.
Can you see the southern lights from Bruny Island?
Bruny Island has some of Tasmania’s most beautifully preserved natural environments with abundant wildlife and stunning cliff top views. It is also a prime spot for Southern Lights viewing due to limited light pollution.
What time of year can you see the Southern Lights in Tasmania?
Best time to see the aurora australis in Tasmania Experienced observers recommend planning the trip for September when the southern lights are most vivid. Another relatively good season for aurora borealis in Tasmania is in winter, roughly from May to August.
What is the best time of year to see the Southern Lights in Tasmania?
It is worth noting (and to some a tad obvious) that the lights can only really be seen at night time, therefore winter is ideal, given daylight savings in Tasmania can stretch the light until 10pm.
Can you see the aurora in Patagonia?
The Southern Lights make a rare appearance in Chile, but Patagoniahas had recorded sightings. Like many of the other destinations on the list, the months between March and September offer the best chance of witnessing the spectacular Aurora Australis. But that’s not the only spectacular thing you”ll see.
Are there Southern Lights in Patagonia?
The Southern Lights can be seen in many parts of the Southern Hemisphere, including parts of Patagonia, Australia, New Zealand and, the best place to spot them of all, Antarctica.
Can you see the Southern Lights from Torres del Paine?
Technically, yes, you can see the southern lights from Patagonia and other destinations equally far south in South America. On a good night for solar activity and when the weather is good, you may be lucky to spot the aurora over the mountains in Tierra del Fuego. What is this?
Can you see the southern lights from Melbourne?
Wilsons Promontory National Park is a standout southern lights observation spot because of its southerly location. A three-hour drive from Melbourne, the “Prom,” as we call it, is for those who love natural adventures such as camping, beaches, hiking, stargazing, and auroras.
Does the aurora borealis happen every night?
There is no official season since the Northern Lights are almost always present, day and night. Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earth’s atmosphere and releasing photons, it’s a process that happens constantly.
Can you see the southern lights in South Africa?
Generally, it is not possible to see the southern lights from South Africa, despite it being the southernmost country on the African continent.
Does the aurora australis take passengers?
With 30 per cent larger windows compared to other Boeing aircraft, the Dreamliner is the perfect plane for passengers to take in the Aurora Australis. Throughout the flight guests will receive a full inflight catering service in both business and economy classes.
Are southern lights a thing?
Yes, there are southern lights. The aurora australis occurs around the southern magnetic pole, much as the aurora borealis (northern lights) occurs around the northern magnetic pole.
What Colour is the aurora australis?
Aurora australis (also known as the southern lights, and southern polar lights) is the southern hemisphere counterpart to the aurora borealis. In the sky, an aurora australis takes the shape of a curtain of light, or a sheet, or a diffuse glow; it most often is green, sometimes red, and occasionally other colors too.
Can you see the southern lights from Stewart Island?
Stewart island is a great place to see the Southern Lights. Stewart Island is a great place to see the Aurora Australis, the best months being March to September. With clear skies and no light pollution the chances of getting some amazing shots are good!