Aurora Australis dances over Southland and Otago skies

Aurora Australis Dances Over Southland and Otago Skies

The sky above Kaitangata was illuminated with vibrant green, red, and purple hues as Aurora Australis, the southern lights, put on a breathtaking display. Southland and Otago locals witnessed these natural light shows, which reveal shifting colors like blue, red, yellow, green, and orange across the night sky.

Leeana Ferguson took her two daughters to Summer Hill Road in Kaitangata, facing Kākā Point, to watch the spectacle. She shared,

“That’s our usual spot to try and catch a glimpse of the ‘pretty lights’, as my girls call them.”

How Auroras Occur

Auroras are caused by solar activity sending charged particles into space. These particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, creating geomagnetic storms that produce dazzling light displays visible at night.

When and Where Auroras Are Seen

Aurora Australis can occur throughout the year.
They are more commonly seen during the equinoxes in March and September.
Long, dark nights during these times improve visibility of the lights.

Ferguson noted the aurora beams at Kākā Point were

“clearly visible to the naked eye.”

She added,

“I think this is about the third time this year I’ve been lucky enough to get good photos of the aurora.”

Author’s summary: The southern lights recently illuminated Southland and Otago skies, captivating viewers with vivid colors caused by solar particles interacting with Earth’s magnetic field during optimal viewing seasons.

NZ Herald — 2025-11-06