Sunstorm brings stunning auroras

Reuters

NORTHERN LIGHTS: The aurora borealis near the city of Tromsoe, Norway, January 25, 2012.

Reuters

EERIE BEAUTY: Another view of the Northern Lights in Norway, January 25, 2012.

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As New Zealanders wait for auroras to light up the sky in the coming days, the northern hemisphere has already been treated to the natural lightshow.

Are you going aurora spotting? Email your photos and videos to newstips@stuff.co.nz

The rays of colour were being created by the biggest solar storm in more than six years, which is bombarding Earth with radiation.

The Aurora borealis, or northern lights, has been seen above Canada, Scotland, northern England and northern parts of Ireland, and Norway.

Ken Kennedy, director of the Aurora section of the British Astronomical Association, said the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible for a few more days.

Astronomer John Field, from Carter Observatory in Wellington, said it was "highly likely" aurora australis, or southern lights, would also occur above New Zealand, but couldn't guarantee it would be spotted.

"You just have to be in the right place for it to happen because aurora can happen in the day time or it may happen at 3am when you are fast asleep.

"The best places to observe it is further south, so if you are down in Invercargill you'll have a better chance of seeing aurora because you are closer to the south magnetic pole."

Field said people in Wellington and as far as Hastings may be able to see an aurora with a dark sky looking towards the south.

Auroras have been seen earlier this year in the South Island, but were hardly ever seen in the North Island.

He said the lights were created when particles from the sun interact with the earth's magnetic field.

"This electric charge makes the gases in the atmosphere glow the lovely reds and greens that we see."

Field said the green lights were created by oxygen, red by hydrogen and yellow by nitrogen.

Solar storms could cause awesome sights, but they could also bring trouble.

According to the US' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, problems could include current surges in power lines, and interference in the broadcast of radio, TV and telephone signals.

Field said the sighting would likely take place over the next couple days, but with the solar storm continuing there could be more chances to see them, he said.

People could check for aurora updates on Carter Observatory's Facebook page or spaceweather.com.

- Stuff.co.nz and AP