Aurora Australis Alerts Expand Across Southern Australia

Aurora Australis viewing opportunities are expected across parts of Australia after a coronal mass ejection from the Sun triggered geomagnetic storm forecasts for October 9 and October 11, 2026. Tasmania, Victoria, southern New South Wales, South Australia and parts of Western Australia have the best chances.

According to SBS News, astronomers said conditions could allow a visible display, although forecasts remain uncertain because aurora strength depends on solar wind and the interaction between charged particles and Earth's magnetic field.

The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre and other agencies tracked a partial halo coronal mass ejection released on October 6. ELLE reported that a G2-level geomagnetic storm forecast created viewing potential through the weekend, with darker skies expected near the October 11 new moon.

Astronomer Professor Jonti Horner from the University of Southern Queensland said the event could produce favorable conditions for southern areas.

"There is a chance tonight, and it's definitely worth letting people know," said Jonti Horner, astronomer and astrobiologist at the University of Southern Queensland.

Horner explained that the CME could reach the lower end of Kp 6, which would improve the possibility of sightings in Tasmania and southern states. He said viewers farther south generally have better chances of seeing the aurora.

"The further south you are, the better your chance, and Tasmania and New Zealand are always more likely than Queensland or WA, for example," said Jonti Horner.

Viewing conditions are expected to improve because moonlight will be limited before the new moon. Astronomers advised choosing dark locations away from artificial light and facing south toward the horizon.

Matt Woods, an astronomer quoted by PerthNow, said auroras are less common during the current phase of the Sun's cycle compared with the peak activity period around 2024 and 2025.

"It does have to be a decent-sized storm for us to be able to see it, and usually here in Perth, you have to get away from the city lights, so you'll need to go out to the central Wheatbelt or down past Mandurah to be able to see it. Esperance and Albany will be the best places to see it in WA tonight," said Matt Woods.

Experts also noted that cameras can reveal colors that are difficult for human eyes to detect. Night mode and long exposures on smartphones may capture green and red auroral features when conditions are suitable.

The International Space Station was also expected to pass over parts of Western Australia on Friday evening. Horner said it would be visible above Perth at 7:20pm and appear among the brightest objects in the sky.