Southern lights deliver full-on display
It has been eyes to the sky across much of the South Island on Sunday evening as the Aurora Australis put on a show.
Metservice meteorologist Nick Zacher said the weather had created perfect viewing conditions south of Christchurch, but other areas had also been able to see it across the evening. ’’The skies are perfect for viewing in many places and it has been going strong. We have had a lot of reports from the public of good views from different parts of the lower South Island.’’
University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory superintendent Nigel Frost said a large solar flare coming from the sun had created storm-like conditions on the South Pole that were creating an elevated reaction in the upper atmosphere.
‘‘Usually the aurora levels are around 1 or 2 on the rating scale. At present they are hitting around 5 or 6 which gives an idea of how much stronger a reaction is going on at present,’’ Frost said. ’’That is why people are able to see such bright and strong activity.’’
Te Anau resident Peter Jackson said the display was one of the better ones he had seen in several years. ’’She was pretty spectacular.’’
Te Anau residents were fortunate that it was one of the few nights where the fog did not roll in and blot out the sky, Jackson said. ’’When you do get a cool clear night up here it’s as good as the Mackenzie Country. We’re pretty lucky we don’t have to drive anywhere to see an aurora, we just go out the back door.’’
Southland’s relatively high latitude (46.5 degrees south) makes it the most likely place in New Zealand to see the Southern Lights.