Aurora australis Timaru tonight

A curved beach at the northern edge of Timaru facing east and southeast over the Pacific Ocean. The breakwater at the south end of the bay gives a sea-level position with a clear eastern horizon. Timaru's town glow affects the northwest sky but the southeastern horizon is relatively unobstructed over open water. At Kp 4, aurora australis appears to the south-southeast. Caroline Bay is the most accessible option for those within Timaru without a car. It is not a dark sky site, but elevated Kp events (Kp 5+) produce aurora visible here despite the town glow.

The Pareora Gorge and river flats south of Timaru give a dark rural position on flat Canterbury farmland. Drive south on SH1 then west on Pareora Gorge Road. The flat farm country south of the gorge gives Bortle Class 2-3 conditions with an open southern horizon. Timaru's light dome is to the north, leaving the south and southeast sky unaffected. At Kp 4, aurora australis appears above the flat southern Canterbury horizon. The gorge itself can cause wind funnelling, so check exposed ridgeline positions above the gorge rather than the valley floor.

The coast north of Timaru at Washdyke gives a south-southeast facing ocean horizon. The lagoon is a wildlife reserve and the adjacent beach faces east and south over the Pacific. The Washdyke industrial area to the northwest produces some light pollution, but the ocean horizon to the south-southeast is clear. A practical compromise for Kp 4-5 events when a longer drive is not possible. The beach at Washdyke Lagoon is accessible from the gravel road past the reserve entrance. Position south of the lagoon for the clearest southern horizon.