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Aurora Australis dazzle Tasmanian skies, with photographers capturing the magic

Tasmanian stargazers have marvelled over the Aurora Australis, – including Scott Glynn who has been planning this shot for years. And you might have one last shot to see the incredible skies.

Scott Glynn has spent years planning to capture this spectacular shot of the Aurora Australis over Hobart. Picture: Scott Glynn
Scott Glynn has spent years planning to capture this spectacular shot of the Aurora Australis over Hobart. Picture: Scott Glynn

It was years in the making for Scott Glynn, who snapped the rare Southern Lights over Hobart.

The aurora photographer captured the Aurora Australis over the Tasman Bridge from Lindisfarne on Saturday night.

“It was magical,” he said.

“I’m always on the hunt for different spots that are unusual and I’ve always wanted to get one that demonstrated, or showed Hobart actually in the aurora photo.

“I saw the Tasman Bridge worked out the correct direction, and what point to sit on, and thought, right, tonight might be the night.”

A magical display of the Aurora australis at Taroona Beach on Saturday night (May 12, 2024). Picture: Rhys Manttan
A magical display of the Aurora australis at Taroona Beach on Saturday night (May 12, 2024). Picture: Rhys Manttan

Mr Glynn has been snapping the rare Auroras for years across Southern Tasmania.

He said last night was special because you could see the colours with the naked eye.

“You could see the reds, you could see the pinks, you could see the greens,” he said.

“Normally, you just get the pale green to the white sort of colour and it’s only the camera that really captures it.

A magical display of the Aurora australis at Taroona Beach on Saturday night (May 12, 2024). Picture: Rhys Manttan
A magical display of the Aurora australis at Taroona Beach on Saturday night (May 12, 2024). Picture: Rhys Manttan

“But you could actually see the colours with the naked eye, which was one of the best bits.”

It comes as the Auroras, which were created by a geomagnetic storm from the sun, could be seen across the world.

For Sandy Bay resident Rhys Manttan, it was the first time he saw the Southern Lights.

“I’ve seen a lot of things in my life, but that was among the most beautiful,” he said.

“It was amazing to look up in the sky and see the magic of it. It’s everything you think it would be and more.”

The Bureau of Meteorology Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre, have indicated a chance of a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm conditions on Sunday.

Tasmanians might get a last chance to witness the Auroras, with the Bom indicating that it could be seen as far north as southern New South Wales on Sunday evening.

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/aurora-australis-dazzle-tasmanian-skies-with-photographers-capturing-the-magic/news-story/c16d4934e2eaec15c3f900c6144bfafd