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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington

‘In awe’: New Zealand aurora hunters entranced by unusually bright southern lights display

An aurora over South Bay in Kaikōura, New Zealand. The lights can be seen when sunspots erupt and cause solar storms that send material from the sun towards Earth.
An aurora over South Bay in Kaikōura, New Zealand. The lights can be seen when sunspots erupt and cause solar storms that send material from the sun towards Earth. Photograph: James O'Dea

The lure of unusually vibrant views of the southern lights in New Zealand has prompted aurora-hunters to drive for hours through the night to capture the “elusive” sight on camera, with social media groups devoted to swapping tips growing in size.

The aurora australis is always more visible in New Zealand and Australian skies during autumn and winter – beginning in March in the southern hemisphere – but this month, the southern lights have been more visible than usual, analysts say. Auroras – beautiful light shows in the night sky – are seen when sunspots erupt, causing solar storms which send material from the sun towards Earth.

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