Aurora Victoria: Incredible light display spotted across Victoria

A senior meteorologist said the recent lights show as a result of a solar storm was “extremely rare”. See all the pictures taken across Victoria.

The aurora over Mt Little Joe Warburton, taken from Millgrove. Picture: Jodie Jenkins.

Getting up early or staying up late paid off for Victorians, who were treated to stunning views of the Aurora Australis over the long weekend.

The lights could be seen from Mildura to the Bass Coast, with residents taking to social media to share their amazing pictures.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the “light shows” were the result of particles ejected from the sun interacting with earth’s magnetic field.

“Essentially it is a solar storm,” she said.

She said the display on Sunday night and early Monday morning was extremely rare.

“To see the southern lights at all is a rare occurrence but to see them this bright...it’s pretty rare,” she said.

The intensity of this week’s aurora was the result of a “coronial mass ejection”, which is essentially a large and dense release of plasma from the sun that was then blown towards earth.

It has been described as “one of nature’s most spectacular visual phenomena”.

“That happened on Saturday night, giving us those really strong colours over the next few nights,” Ms Bradbury said.

“It was pretty spectacular and we were lucky to have such clear viewing conditions.”

The different colours come from the different concentrations of particles, as well as a few other factors like wind and location.

Victorians were quick to share their images of the show. See if yours has been featured.

Residents in Ocean Grove and Millgrove were among those to spot the dazzling display.

Aurora Australis in Kinglake. Picture: Scott Plunkett

The aurora over Mt Little Joe Warburton. Picture: Jodie Jenkins

Millgrove’s Jodie Jenkins was lucky enough to spot the spectacular display about 5am Monday.

“I’m always up early and at first actually wondered if there was a fire on Mt Little Joe as I only noticed a small red glow to start with,” she said.

“By the time l grabbed my phone it was a spectacular light show.

“I didn’t think the photos would show the intensity so stopped taking pics to just watch it. “I’ve never seen an aurora before, so pretty lucky to be in the right spot at the right time.”

The southern lights were also viewed on the Mornington Peninsula. Gunnamatta Beach was a good vantage point. Picture: Earle Weston

Rosebud man Earle Weston snapped this incredible image of the natural phenomena on Monday from Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula.

Not only did his photo show the kaliedescope of colours above the surf, it also captured the beam of light from the Cape Schanck Lighthouse.

“It was pretty awesome. You do need a camera to see it though. Heaps of people were having great success using their phones.”