City
Seeing the southern lights from Hobart
Hobart sits at 49.6° magnetic latitude, well away from the auroral oval. Aurora reaches it during geomagnetic storms: about Kp 6.1 for a glow on the southern horizon, and Kp 8.3 or more for a display overhead.
Dark hours by month
Hours each night with the sun at least 12° below the horizon, on the 15th of each month.
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Hobart. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.
What each storm level means here
The higher the Kp index, the farther the oval spreads toward the equator.
- Kp 9G5 extreme storm: aurora overhead from Hobart
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora on the horizon from Hobart
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora not in view from Hobart
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora not in view from Hobart
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Hobart
Questions about the aurora in Hobart
Can you see the southern lights in Hobart?
Sometimes, during geomagnetic storms. It takes about Kp 6.1 to see aurora low on the southern horizon from Hobart, and cameras often pick it up before your eyes do.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Hobart?
About Kp 6.1 for aurora on the southern horizon and about Kp 8.3 for aurora overhead. These come from Hobart's magnetic latitude of 49.6°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Hobart?
Face south (189°), toward the magnetic pole. That is where the aurora rises first. In a strong storm it can spread across the whole sky.
What time of night is best for the aurora in Hobart?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 12:00 AM local time in Hobart in June. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Hobart?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Hobart. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.