Australians have been dazzled by a solar light show as the Aurora Australis graces the southern night sky.
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This stunning atmospheric phenomenon, also known as the Southern Lights, produces vivid green, red and purple streaks of light throughout the southern hemisphere and has been experienced from Tasmania, NSW and South Australia in recent days.
What is the Aurora Australis?
The auroras are an interaction between electrically charged particles from the solar wind and the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere.
Auroras happen when charged particles from the sun enter the magnetosphere. Once inside, the geomagnetic field directs them toward the north and south magnetic poles.
When the electrons from the solar wind interact with the earth's magnetic field they can cause the gases at very high altitudes to glow.
University of Tasmania professor in physics and astronomy Andrew Cole told ACM the sun is in an active period, meaning the lights will be more visible over the next few years.
"The sun has an activity cycle, where it goes through quiet periods and very active periods, and it's going into a more active period now. It's going to be ramping up in captivity for the next couple years to come," he said.
Where is the best place to see the lights?
The best way to see the aurora is to check out the space weather forecast and travel to somewhere very dark and far from city lights.
Professor Cole said southern Australia was uniquely positioned to view the solar light show.
"The best place to be is Tasmania every time," he said.
"Because the auroras are concentrated in rings around the north and south magnetic poles.
"So the South Island of New Zealand, Macquarie island in Tasmania, or if you can get to Antarctica, they'd be right overhead."
Hobart-based photographer Gillian Dayton said witnessing the Aurora Australis was a phenomenal experience.
"I've photographed the aurora quite a few times, you feel so small and so humbled by the universe when you see these lights," she said.
"With a really good aurora you can pick up the green arc and see the pulsating and waving shades of light as they move. But you don't see how vibrant they are until you actually take a photo with the camera."
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How to get the best shot
Huon Valley-based freelance photographer Toby Schrapel travelled to the top of Mount Wellington on February 27 to get above the clouds and witness the full magnitude of the aurora lights.
He was surrounded by at least 100 other astrophotographers seeking the perfect shot.
"I was up there until about two o'clock in the morning. That was a large show, it was surreal, I saw the reds and greens pulsing through the sky," Mr Schrapel said.
"There were a couple of hundred people up there. We all had the same idea. It was really nice to share that."
Mr Schrapel said elevation, a clear sky, and water nearby to catch the light reflections are the ingredients for a good photo.
Gillian Dayton from Hobart said choosing a spot away from light pollution was crucial.
"When we get alerts that an aurora is about to happen I go and find a quiet spot away from people and light pollution, you just need to have a really good vantage point," she said.
"You need a southerly aspect clear from light pollution. You need clear skies, good weather. Face the camera south and focus on a star to begin, at the lowest aperture, for a about 15 to 25 seconds,
"With the naked eye you can see the faint flow of red and green beams, but on the camera you see this amazing green glow. It's very exciting to see that."
