20012026

2026 January 20 (Melbourne time)

On January 19 (UTC), an X-1.4 flare launched a full halo CME Earthwards that impacted the Earth's magnetic field about 30 hours later sparking G3 geomagnetic storm conditions around dawn on January 20 Melbourne time. The storm persisted during Melbourne's daytime and G2-class conditions continued until evening twilight faded on the 20th in clear skies resulting in an impressive display - despite substantial light-pollution - at the bayside suburban location of Rickett's Point. Several hundred other hopeful spectators also turned up creating car parking mayhem, but their patience was fully rewarded.

	10:37pm AEDT, looking south at Rickett's Point, the aurora was starting to quickly activate with a clear greenish arc, weak beams and hints of colour developing in a field of stars. Several hundred spectators had turned up to see it. Tripod-mounted Canon 5D Mk II + 14 mm f2.8 lens at f4, 10secs, ISO1600.
	10:55pm AEDT, looking south, the aurora has "taken off" to the delight of the everyone. Beams extended to about 50^o into the sky. Camera settings as above.
	11:01pm AEDT, looking south, a few beams and colours extending further throughout the S quadrant. Camera settings as above.
	11:02pm AEDT, looking south, the aurora was at its maximum extent for this stage of the display. Beaming was less intense, although colours filled the sky to at least 60^o above the horizon. Camera settings as above.
	11:14pm AEDT, looking south, the high level auroral activity had weakened considerably by now, but just a lull as more was to come later. Camera settings as above.