'Bloody incredible': Southern lights stun across Otago-Southland

Aurora australis seen by hunters

Star-gazers in the South Island were treated to a spectacular showing of a purple-green Aurora australis last night.

Kiwis from across the lower South Island sent photos to 1News, showing the sight in all its glory.

"Out hunting in the Omarama high country tonight and saw the most amazing southern lights," one person said.

Aurora australis seen in Omarama

Another person who sent photos to 1News captured a series, showing how the dynamic lights shifted colour and brightness over time.

Purple and green light up Queenstown

Earth Sciences New Zealand said space weather like this can be predicted based on the Sun's activity.

Aurorae occur when particles from extreme solar events interact with gases around Earth's poles.

Typically, the light shows occur in lower polar regions because they're closer to the magnetic pole.

Aurora australis seen above Queenstown

When the solar event is more extreme, Auroras can be seen higher on the globe.

In January this year, a similarly stunning solar storm prompted incredible sights as high as the lower North Island.

The light's colours shifted substantially.

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