City
Seeing the southern lights from Melbourne
Melbourne sits at 44.8° magnetic latitude, well away from the auroral oval. Aurora reaches it during geomagnetic storms: about Kp 8.4 for a glow on the southern horizon, and Kp 9+ 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 Melbourne. 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 on the horizon from Melbourne
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora not in view from Melbourne
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora not in view from Melbourne
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora not in view from Melbourne
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Melbourne
Questions about the aurora in Melbourne
Can you see the southern lights in Melbourne?
Sometimes, during geomagnetic storms. It takes about Kp 8.4 to see aurora low on the southern horizon from Melbourne, and cameras often pick it up before your eyes do.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Melbourne?
About Kp 8.4 for aurora on the southern horizon and about Kp 9+ for aurora overhead. These come from Melbourne's magnetic latitude of 44.8°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Melbourne?
Face south (188°), 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 Melbourne?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 12:15 AM local time in Melbourne in June. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Melbourne?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Melbourne. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.