Southern lights shock stargazers in Townsville

A massive geomagnetic storm 16 times the size of Earth has sent waves of colour across the night sky, and the southern lights even appeared in Townsville.

When news spread of a massive geomagnetic storm coming Earth’s way, experts predicted the aura australis (southern lights) might be seen as far north as Sydney.

On Saturday night, photography diehards blew those predictions out of the water when they captured red skies over a sleeping Townsville.

Allison Johnston was one such enthusiasts, capturing an incredibly rare picture of the aura australis off Ross River Dam at midnight as Saturday ticked over into Mother’s Day.

“It was so spectacular and cool to see,” Ms Johnston said.

Several other clued in stargazers witnessed the lightshow over Ross River Dam, but others went up Mount Stuart for a different view.

The aurora from the dam wall on Saturday night, taken with ISO 6400, low aperture and a slow shutter speed. Credit: Allison Johnston

Erin Beggs was only in Townsville for a visit when she decided to take a chance and drive up Mount Stuart.

“I am here visiting from South Australia. I didn’t expect to be able to see it here at all,” she said.

The aurora from the dam wall on Saturday night, taken with ISO 6400, low aperture and a slow shutter speed. Credit: Allison Johnston

Geomagnetic storms are caused by flares in the sun’s surface, which push out plasma and magnetic energy.

When Earth intersects with these bursts of plasma, our skies light up with colour, starting from the poles and working towards the equator.

Experts are predicting that another storm could be coming over the next few days.

Originally published as Southern lights shock stargazers in Townsville