Southern Aurora lights up Boat Harbour sky

First day of Winter 2025 - The Aurora Australis becomes visible from Boat Harbour.

On the first day of winter 2025, Boat Harbour was abuzz with anticipation as nature promised a rare spectacle—the Aurora Australis, ignited by a substantial coronal mass ejection from the sun. This celestial event, a shimmering dance of lights across the southern horizon, was a direct result of heightened solar activity as the sun neared the peak of its 11-year solar cycle 25, an awe-inspiring phenomenon where the sun's magnetic poles flip.

Arriving at the Whale platform around 5:30 PM, I braced myself against the brisk winter air, with only the rhythmic lapping of waves breaking the eerie silence. This vantage point, renowned for its unobstructed southern view, was poised to offer a front-row seat to the show. As the evening deepened, the sky's inky canvas was punctuated by the ethereal glow of the Milky Way, setting the stage for the aurora's grand entrance.

As the clock neared 8PM, and my hopes of seeing something fading, the first hints of red began to ripple across the sky, delicate veils of light that quickly bloomed into vibrant curtains. The polar lights wove through the stars, their luminescent hues mingling with the celestial band of the Milky Way, creating a breathtaking tableau that seemed almost otherworldly. In the stillness of Boat Harbour, this symphony of light and colour served as a humbling reminder of our small place in the vast, dynamic universe. As the aurora wavered and danced, it was a moment of pure magic, a celestial gift that I was fortunate enough to witness and share with the many lucky onlookers who started to gather at this serene spot.