A Night to Remember: May 11th’s Mesmerising Aurora Australis Lights Up the Sky
Gazing up at a night sky ablaze with colour is an experience that stays with you forever. On May 11th, lucky skywatchers across most states of Australia were treated to just such a spectacle as a mesmerising Aurora Australis danced across the heavens. The vibrant display of pinks, greens, and purples was a sight to behold, leaving many in awe of nature's dazzling light show. In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into this unforgettable cosmic event, sharing breathtaking photos and videos, and offering tips for catching the Southern Lights yourself. So, buckle up and prepare to be dazzled as we relive the magic of the May 11th Aurora Australis!
Watch the Aurora
Buckle up for a dazzling dance across the night sky! This time-lapse video condenses over five hours of capturing the incredible May 11th Aurora Australis into a minute-long spectacle. Witness the dynamic movements of the aurora borealis' southern cousin as vibrant colours paint the heavens. Each frame, one of hundreds, captures a fleeting moment of the aurora's mesmerising display. Now, get ready to be transported to a world of celestial wonder – hit play and enjoy the show!
The Gallery
A breathtaking Aurora Australis, often referred to as the Southern Lights, painted the heavens in a vibrant display of colour. This awe-inspiring phenomenon wasn't just a fleeting glimpse; it was a captivating dance of light that unfolded for hours.
This collection of images offers a glimpse into that magical night. Some are featured in the time-lapse video above, showcasing the dynamic nature of the aurora as it shifted and swirled across the sky. Others, not included in the video, provide a more static view, allowing you to appreciate the intricate details of the colourful tendrils.
Panoramic vistas bring the vastness of the display to life. These images, stitched together from multiple captures, ensure that the entirety of the aurora fits within the frame. By capturing the surrounding landscape, they also provide a sense of place, reminding us of the breathtaking backdrop against which this celestial ballet took place.
Each image tells a unique story of the May 11th Aurora Australis. Some showcase vibrant pinks and purples, while others highlight the ethereal glow of greens and yellows. The way the light interacts with the landscape varies as well. In some shots, the aurora reflects off of calm waters, creating an almost dreamlike quality. Others capture the light dancing across mountain peaks, adding a touch of drama to the scene.
Whether you're a seasoned aurora chaser or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the night sky, this collection offers a chance to relive the magic of the May 11th display. It's a reminder of the awe-inspiring power of nature and the beauty that can be found just by looking up. So, take a moment to explore these images, let the colours wash over you, and perhaps even imagine yourself standing beneath the dancing lights, a witness to this unforgettable celestial spectacle.
Prints
The captivating dance of the Aurora Australis, captured in stunning detail! Here, you have the opportunity to relive the magic of the May 11th celestial display through a curated selection of high-resolution prints. Each image, meticulously chosen, offers a window into the unforgettable night sky spectacle. Explore vibrant hues of pink, green, and purple, or marvel at the dynamic movements of the aurora's light show.
Click on the buttons below to access our online gallery. There, you can browse the selection of print media, allowing you to appreciate the intricate patterns and the ethereal glow of the aurora. Imagine yourself beneath the dancing lights, a witness to this awe-inspiring phenomenon. These captivating prints are not just photographs; they are portals to a night etched in memory. Find the perfect piece to grace your walls and keep the magic of the Aurora Australis alive in your home.
Gear and Settings
Gear:
Olympus OMD EM1 MK3 with the 7-14mm 2.8 on a peak design aluminum travel tripod.
Camera settings
I did play around with settings a little, depending on the vibrancy of the aroura and if I wanted to exposure for the Milky Way. Because my camera has a touch screen I used it instead of pressing the shutter or using a timer.
Most images were captured with the following settings:
ISO 1250-4000 (most at 4000)
Aperture at 2.8 (left it open as wide as it could be for all photos)
Zoom at 7mm (as wide as the lens goes)
Shutter speed 6 sec to 25 seconds (changing based on vibrancy or for Milky Way)
Manual focus
Same settings for the time lapse but used the internal intervalometer to have the camera capture a new image every 5 seconds. I did this over and over again after moving the camera as you can see from the video I couldn’t stay still!
Apps
I run Android and have two apps for Aurora alerts:
My Aurora Forecast Pro (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrustonapps.myauroraforecastpro)
Aurora Alerts - Northern Light, this does work for the Southern Lights (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aurora_alerts.auroraalerts)
I also have some apps to help track the stars:
Starwalk 2 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vitotechnology.StarWalk2)
Sky tonight (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vitotechnology.sky.tonight.map.star.walk)
The gallery below are screen captures from both the Aurora apps mentioned earlier starting from the mid afternoon checking the forecast conditions and cloud cover (good thing the clouds did clear or I would not have seen much at all). Before this storm I’d never seen the horizon percentage above 7 or 8 %!
About the geomagnetic storm that occurred over the weekend of May 11 2024
The Earth recently experienced a powerful geomagnetic storm,
reaching G5-level, which is the most severe classification. This event began on May 11, 2024, with a series of strong solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) impacting the Earth's magnetosphere. The storm peaked on May 12th with G4 levels (severe) and continued with decreasing intensity over the next few days.
This is a significant event because it's the strongest geomagnetic storm recorded in over 20 years. The last time a storm reached G5 intensity is likely to have been in early 2003, though precise dates may vary depending on the source.
Here's a breakdown of the recent storm's severity:
G5-level: Most extreme; can cause widespread power outages, damage to satellites, and disruptions to radio communications.
G4-level: Severe; can cause power grid fluctuations, communication disruptions, and auroras visible at low latitudes.
It's important to note that the current situation (as of May 14, 2024) suggests the storm is subsiding, with forecasts predicting mostly minor geomagnetic activity (G1 or less).