Canberra Skies to Glow with Aurora Australis Tonight!

Canberrans could be in for an aurora show as a geomagnetic storm moves across southeast Australia. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading Holiday Offer All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other in your area Australian National University professor Dr Brad Tucker said the Aurora Australis would be visible in Canberra on Tuesday, January 20, based on the strength of its current levels. "If [the aurora] lasts into the evening, so if it stays the same strength as of right now, in terms of the indices and strength they're measuring ... we would see it as bright as what we saw back in November in Canberra," he said. "The question is, will it last for another seven to eight hours. That's probably a hard ask because usually the storms last anywhere between one to two hours. "This has arrived quite quickly, so it just depends on how much energy is with this storm and whether we get more waves of it arriving later." The Australia Space Weather Forecasting Centre issued an aurora alert on Tuesday morning, January 20 for a severe geomagnetic storm. "Aurora may be observed during local night time hours in good observing conditions at regions as far equatorward as middle latitudes." Middle latitudes lie around Tasmania. The Aurora Australis seen in southern Australia. Picture by Kate Healy A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said the storm conditions were currently ongoing and expected to continue until later this evening. "This event is a result of a coronal mass ejection that occurred on the Sun on Monday 19 January 2026 at approximately 5.12am AEDT," the spokesperson. Geomagnetic storms of the current intensity could potentially disrupt, critical infrastructure such as power grids, satellite services, and services that use high-frequency radio communication, the spokesperson said. The Australia Space Weather Forecasting Centre's website measures the Kp index on a scale of one to nine, with nine emblazoned in red indicating a major geomagnetic storm, Dr Tucker said. READ MORE NEWS: "Because it's going to be in the southern skies, you want to go south of the city lights ... get to a dark spot, so it could be like a nature strip or a nearby oval somewhere with less immediate lights that will maximise what you see. Daily Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. As it happens Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Weekdays The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Weekdays The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Weekly Subscriber Only Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Twice weekly The Senior Stay in the know on news that matters to you with twice weekly newsletters from The Senior. Weekly What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Daily Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Daily Subscriber Only Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Weekly Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Weekly Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Weekly Property Get the latest property and development news here. Weekly Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Weekdays The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Twice weekly The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. As it happens Subscriber Only Special Reports Get the very best journalism from The Canberra Times by signing up to our special reports. Twice weekly Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Weekly Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarGuide, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. As it happens Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Daily Subscriber Only Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Daily Subscriber Only Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Ad Advertisement Ad