Nature unveiled a rare and mesmerising light display in the Western Cape recently – the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights. This spectacle, usually reserved for high-latitude regions, made a surprising appearance, lighting up the horizon with vibrant hues. Witnessing an aurora in South Africa is a rare treat that left both locals and visitors alike amazed. But what exactly makes this natural phenomenon so exceptional, and how does it occur? Let's delve into the captivating science behind the Aurora Australis.
Aurora Australis lighting up the sky over Gansbaai. Image Credit: Hugh Daniel Grobler Photography
The Science Behind the Southern Lights
The auroras, both Australis in the south and Borealis in the north are stunning visual manifestations of a powerful cosmic interaction. These light shows occur when charged particles from the sun, carried by solar winds, collide with the Earth's magnetic field.
But it's not just any solar wind that triggers this phenomenon – it's a coronal mass ejection (CME), an immense burst of solar wind and magnetic fields released from the sun's corona during a solar storm.
Aurora australis over Glencairn and Simonstown. Image Credit: Steven Shannon
The Hues of Aurora Australis
As these charged particles hit Earth's magnetosphere, they're drawn toward the poles by the planet's magnetic field. Upon reaching the upper atmosphere, they interact with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions release energy in the form of light, creating the ethereal, dancing colours we see in auroras.
This celestial light show typically occurs closer to the poles, making sightings in places like South Africa an extraordinary and infrequent event.
Green and Yellow
These are produced when the particles collide with oxygen at lower altitudes.
Red Lights
This colour occurs when oxygen is struck at higher altitudes.
Blue and Violet
Emerging from interactions with nitrogen, these two colours combine.
A Rare Southern Sky Delight in the Cape
Southern lights at Cape Agulhas. Image Credit: Kyle Goetsch Photography
The Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, are generally observed in places like Antarctica, New Zealand, and Tasmania. However, a strong solar storm can push the auroral activity farther north, which is exactly what happened on this remarkable evening. The vivid display painted the skies over Gansbaai, Simon's Town, and Gordon's Bay with bright shades of green, red, and purple – a testament to nature's raw power and beauty.
For those lucky enough to witness the Southern Lights over the Western Cape, the night will surely remain etched in their memories. From shimmering greens to the soft reds glimmering against the ocean, it was an unforgettable spectacle of nature's wonders.
A beautiful glowing red hue seen on Clarence Drive. Image Credit: Rachael Dangarembizi
Capturing the Magic
Photographers and enthusiasts who were quick enough to grab their cameras captured stunning shots. Among the most spectacular ones captured were those from Gansbaai, Simon's Town, and Clarence Drive, showcasing the aurora glowing vibrantly above the mountains and sea. For some, the rare appearance of bioluminescence in the water created a surreal combination of glowing skies and shimmering seas, adding an extra layer of magic to the night.
Some Pro Photography Tips
Here are some tips from professional photographers Amber Ivey and Tony Bendele for taking the perfect photograph of an aurora. Firstly, a tripod is recommended for everything below. These settings are subject to change based on conditions, so they can be adjusted as needed.
Camera Settings
- Mode: Find and select manual mode on your camera.
- Shutterspeed: Around 10 seconds is best if the auroras are far away and not moving fast. If the auroras are directly overhead and moving fast, two to four seconds is best.
- F-stop: As low as it possibly goes for the lens you're using. For example, my primary aurora lens goes down to F 2.8, and that's what I keep it at.
- ISO: This will depend on the quality of your camera. My ISO is normally between 800-1600, but you might have to go higher if your images are darker. Be aware that the higher your ISO is, the "grainier" your picture will look.
- RAW vs JPEG: I always use RAW if you are doing any real editing. JPEG is fine for those who don't plan on doing much to the photo.
- Turn off Autofocus: Manually focus your lens to just below the crosshairs of infinity. This will give you better control over getting sharp images.
- Self-timer: Unless you have a remote shutter, turn on a two-second timer to avoid any camera shake.
That is the basic starting point for your cameras. From there, you can adjust the settings to get your images perfect.
iPhone Settings
- Mode: Use Night mode (iPhone 11 and later) or manual mode (third-party apps).
- Exposure: Set exposure: 3-10 seconds
- ISO: Start between 400 - 600 and adjust as needed
- Flash: Turn off flash
- Focus: Manual or Infinity
- Self-timer: Use a 3-second timer to avoid any camera shake
- Image Setting: Turn on RAW Max if it's available on your phone to get the best quality
Android Phone Settings
- Mode: Use Pro/Manual/Night mode
- Exposure: Set exposure: 3 - 10 seconds.
- ISO: Start between 400 - 600 and adjust as needed
- Flash: Turn off flash
- Focus: Manual or Infinity
- Self-timer: Use a 3-second timer to avoid any camera shake
- Image Setting: Turn on RAW if it is available on your phone to get the best quality
A Cosmic Event to Remember
Cape Point viewed from Simonstown with a spectacular Aurora australis. Image Credit: Hassaan Tanvir
Seeing the Aurora Australis in South Africa is akin to winning the natural lottery. It's a rare event that speaks to our universe's vast, interconnected systems. Solar winds from 150 million kilometres away can touch our lives in a way that leaves us both humbled and inspired by the grandeur of our planet – and the universe beyond.
Are you ready to experience Africa's many wonders, from the wildlife of the savannah to the rare celestial displays that light up our skies? Let us take you on a journey that unearths the magic of the continent. Contact Rhino Africa today to start planning your extraordinary adventure!
