Aurora over Hobart — tonight's forecast
Live geomagnetic conditions vs what Hobart, Australia actually needs to see the aurora australis (southern lights).
⚪ Unlikely tonight
Current activity is below what this location needs — enable an alert and we'll ping you when a storm changes that.
Kp now
NaN
Tonight's max (forecast)
—
Hobart needs
Kp 8.2
Geomagnetic lat.
-49.6°
Live data: NOAA SWPC planetary K-index · refreshes every 30 min · get a free storm alert
What it takes to see the aurora australis (southern lights) from Hobart
Aurora visibility is set by your geomagneticlatitude — your position relative to Earth's magnetic pole, not the geographic one. Hobart sits at -49.6° geomagnetic. The auroral oval hovers near 66° in quiet conditions and expands toward the equator as geomagnetic storms strengthen: roughly 2° per step of the Kp index. For Hobart only severe storms (Kp 8.2+) — a few nights per solar cycle, like the May 2024 superstorm — bring the aurora into view low on the southern horizon.
How to actually catch it
- Get away from city lights with a clear view of the southern horizon — light pollution is the #1 killer of borderline displays.
- Best window: 22:00–02:00 local time; best seasons: around the equinoxes, and dark winter months at high latitudes.
- Your camera sees more than your eyes: a 5-10s phone night-mode exposure reveals green/red glow invisible to the naked eye.
- Storms spike with little warning — enable a free Cosmik alert and check the live forecast when Kp jumps.
FAQ
Can you see the aurora from Hobart?
Yes, when geomagnetic activity is strong enough. Hobart sits at geomagnetic latitude -49.6°, which means the aurora becomes visible on the southern horizon at roughly Kp 8.2 — only during severe geomagnetic storms.
What Kp index does Hobart need for aurora?
About Kp 8.2. The auroral oval sits near 66° geomagnetic latitude in quiet conditions and pushes roughly 2° toward the equator with each Kp step; Hobart's geomagnetic latitude is -49.6°.
When is the best time to see the aurora?
Around local midnight (22:00–02:00), on dark clear nights away from city lights, and statistically around the equinoxes (March/April and September/October). Solar maximum — happening now — delivers the most storms.
Better aurora odds near Hobart
- Aurora forecast for Winnipeg — needs Kp 4
- Aurora forecast for Regina — needs Kp 4
- Aurora forecast for Calgary — needs Kp 4.3
- Aurora forecast for Saskatoon — needs Kp 3.3
- Aurora forecast for Galway — needs Kp 4.8
- Aurora forecast for Dublin — needs Kp 4.9
More from the sky over Hobart
The aurora isn't the only show: the ISS passes over Hobart on a predictable schedule, and Cosmik's live 3D map shows everything in orbit right now.