Aurora Australis (Southern Lights)

[Ryan Thomas]

Wondering about them, read somewhere that they'd been spotted in parts of Australia... So was wondering furthest north they can be seen / have been seen in NZ (and the frequency), and the best places to see them

Wondering if they've been seen even faintly in Christchurch or if theres many photos of them in New Zealand

[Nev]

Ryan, although the most spectacular views of Auroras occur around the upper atmosphere of both poles, at times of intense activity they are occasionally visible from mid-latitudes and can even make an appearance in the tropics (usually as a dark red glow near the poleward horizon). I've seen images from as far north as Opotiki in the the Bay of Plenty. However, I think you'd have to be well away from the light pollution of cities like Christchurch.

Auroral displays are strongly correlated to the 11 year the sunspot cycle and the appearance of large active sunspots. They also appear to be more common around the time of equinoxes.

Here's a few links that may be of some help ...
Antarctic Connection
Teara Encyclopaedia of NZ
Stardome Aurora Gallery
Starry Night Skies Photography (images from Wairarapa)
Wellington Astronomical Society

[GraemeWi]

I've seen a couple of displays from Waimauku (rural, approx 26 km north of Auckland). It really helps if you have a direct obstruction like a hill that blocks out most of Auckland's lights.

[Ryan Thomas]

On Wikipedia theres a picture of northern lights (off topic ) above Calgary which is a city far bigger then Chrischurch and I'm sure theres more light pollution there, is lattitude difference of less then 7 degrees (I'm guessing) the factor that they're actually seeable there?

I've actually never seen the Southern Lights.. So how far out of Christchurch would you see them?

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

I've actually never seen the Southern Lights.. So how far out of Christchurch would you see them?

I've seen lots, escpecially in my train driving days, whilst driving down south to Oamaru and also up along the Midland Line where one night we observed a fantastic display in the mountains between Staircase and Craigieburn.
Like green and orange laser beams spurting up from the south.
Amazing stuff

JohnGaul
NZTS