Astronomy fans were treated to an unexpected light show last night, as the Aurora Australis, also known as The Southern Lights, were visible above the Falkland Islands, a rare phenomenon, with the only previous display earlier this year in May, being obscured by cloud.
Speaking with Falklands Radio News, Chris Burton, the Met Office Manager at MPC said the Sun is currently at the peak of an 11 year solar cycle, with coronal mass ejections causing charged particles to interact with the magnetic field of the earth, causing the aurora, with different colours depending on the gases present in the atmosphere.
Whilst the Falkland Islands are 51 degrees south, a similar longitude to London’s 51 degrees north, appearances of the Aurora Australis are much less common in the Falkland Islands, compared to appearances of the Aurora Borealis which has been seen further south than London multiple times over the last few weeks, Chris explained “although we’re quite far south […] the southern magnetic pole is quite a way shifted away from the South Pole, more towards Australia and New Zealand” resulting in more common appearances there.
If you missed the display last night, Chris said it’s possible further coronal mass ejections may result in visible Aurora Australis above the Falklands in the near future, saying this is “the most active the sun has been for at least 20 to 25 years.”
Giving advice on how to observe future aurora, Chris recommended using a camera on a long exposure or night photography setting, as this may pick up lights not visible by the naked eye.
