Aurora Australis: Stardome reveals which part of the country Kiwis could catch the aurora again

Those in New Zealand's South Island can expect to see yet another aurora on Tuesday night.

It comes after the country's skies were glowing with spectacular colours of pink and green over the weekend as Aurora Australis lit up the sky.  

Stardome astronomer Rob Davison spoke with Newshub about what some lucky Kiwis can expect to see later tonight.

Dunedin on Saturday night.
Dunedin on Saturday night. Photo credit: Supplied

He said those in the South Island can expect to see it tonight "from late evening to around midnight", although those in the North Island won't be so lucky. 

Davison added those waiting up to catch the aurora tonight should "stay away from lights" and "look toward the south". 

However, he stressed the peak of an aurora "can be a bit unpredictable". 

"Even if things seem like everything is set to be a good display, sometimes it just doesn't quite happen. Patience and optimism go a long way with these things," he told Newshub. 

"Particularly [at] this time of year, please wrap up warm, because you may need to be out for a little while."

Christchurch on Saturday night.
Christchurch on Saturday night. Photo credit: Supplied

"There are sites such as SpaceWeather that people can look at to get some slightly more specific predictions," he added.  

"Sometimes you can see it without having to wait too long, other times you have to give it some time to build up."  

Davison believes the show expected tonight won't be as powerful as what the country saw over the weekend.  

"Particularly for people in the South Island, they may have another chance to see another aurora, we're just hoping the weather is on our side," he said.  

He said those in the North Island would only be able to see it if it was "really, really strong". 

Christchurch on Saturday night.
Christchurch on Saturday night. Photo credit: Supplied

According to Davison, those closer to the poles of the Earth are in for a treat.  

"This material that's been thrown at us by the sun is electrical magnetically charged - so as it interacts with our magnetic field it tends to get pushed to the North or South pole," he explained.  

"So, if you are closer to one of those poles, the aurora doesn't need to be as strong or powerful for you to have a chance to see it."  

Davison admitted he was amazed at Saturday night's aurora.  

"We had photographs from staff members, photographs from friends as far up as Auckland. I never really expected people to capture something like this so far north," he said.