Northern lights in Launceston tonight
Northern Tasmania, Australia · 52° magnetic latitude · Kp 5–6 threshold
Kp 1 is well below the Kp 5–6 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Launceston.
7-day outlook for Launceston
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
Launceston sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 52°S. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours - needs to reach Kp 5–6 before the auroral oval expands far enough north to be visible from here.
At Kp 5–6, visibility is possible from Launceston but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.
Best dark sky sites near Launceston
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark southern horizon within reach.
Ben Lomond National Park
Get directions ↗A mountain plateau at 1500 m elevation, 50 km southeast of Launceston. The alpine dolerite columns give an elevated open sky above valley haze. The road to the plateau is open from spring to autumn; in winter it can be icy. The plateau faces south with wide open views across central Tasmania. The lack of trees above the treeline makes it one of the best elevated positions in the state for aurora photography. Drive via Evandale and Blessington, allow 90 minutes.
Bay of Fires (northeast coast)
Get directions ↗The northeast Tasmanian coast between St Helens and Binalong Bay gives a dark, south-facing ocean horizon with orange lichen-covered rocks. The beach at Swimcart or Cosy Corner faces southeast across the Tasman Sea. A 90-minute drive from Launceston via St Helens. The area has no significant settlements for 30 km south and east. Clear nights here can give excellent aurora conditions during Kp 5-6 events, with the aurora appearing over the southern ocean horizon.
Bicheno (east coast)
Get directions ↗A small coastal town 115 km southeast of Launceston. The beach and headlands south of town face south to southeast across the Tasman Sea. Minimal light pollution south of town. The Freycinet Peninsula 15 km south is darker still. Bicheno's penguin tours mean there is accommodation and the town is a practical base for an east coast aurora watch. Drive 1.5 hours from Launceston via Conara.
Best time to see the aurora australis in Launceston
At 52°S magnetic latitude, Launceston sits at the outer edge of regular aurora australis territory. Only the southern winter months, May through July, occasionally bring storms powerful enough to push the oval this far north. Outside this window, there is insufficient darkness for aurora to be visible.
Activity peaks around the March and September equinoxes, when Earth's magnetic field geometry is most favourable for coupling with the solar wind. These windows produce the strongest aurora australis events of the year for observers at this latitude.
Outside May through July, twilight prevents aurora visibility even during significant geomagnetic storms. The season is short, but equinox months on either side of winter can extend it when timing is favourable.
Other Australia aurora forecasts
Up to 8 locations
How often does the aurora appear in Launceston?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Launceston's threshold of 5+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Counts the Kp 5+ threshold only - cloud cover and local darkness are not included.
Kp data: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, CC BY 4.0
Plan your trip to Launceston
Best window
The August to October window averages 4 aurora nights - the strongest consecutive stretch of the year.
How long to stay
Aurora at this latitude requires patience - allow as many nights as possible during March.
Aurora activity peaks at the March and September equinoxes in both hemispheres. This is driven by the angle of Earth's magnetic field relative to the solar wind, not by local seasons. Winter months at this latitude offer longer dark nights for observing, but March and September average the highest number of aurora nights in the historical data.
Related pages
Aurora Australis Australia
Australia aurora hub - all locations with current Kp status.
Read →Aurora Australis Hobart
Hobart - Australia's lowest aurora threshold at 54°S, Kp 5.
Read →Aurora Australis Falls Creek
Falls Creek - Victorian Alps at 1600 m, Kp 6-7.
Read →What Is the Kp Index?
How Kp 5-6 translates to visibility at 52°S.
Read →Northern Lights Viewing Tips
Dark site selection and camera settings - same principles for aurora australis.
Read →Aurora photographs from Launceston
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora over Launceston 
Aurora over Launceston 
Aurora over Launceston 
Aurora over Launceston 
Aurora over Launceston 
Aurora over Launceston Planning your aurora trip
In-depth guides to help you plan a trip to see the northern lights.
Travel Guide Australia Aurora Australis in Australia - Where to See It
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Travel Guide All destinations How to Plan a Northern Lights Trip
Destination, timing, accommodation, app setup, and how to read a space weather forecast.
Planning All destinations Best Time to See the Northern Lights
Month-by-month breakdown of aurora probability, darkness windows, and weather patterns.
