Massive sun flares which have sent a wave of solar supercharged gas toward Earth are expected to reach New Zealand later today, NASA warns.
The first visual effects could be on display tonight with a display of aurora australis or southern polar lights.
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NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory says Earth's natural magnetic shield will protect the planet but warn of spectacular displays of the aurora or northern and southern lights.
Aurora australis, or the "Southern Lights", are common in the southern hemisphere and included a spectacular display across parts of New Zealand in April, 2001. The sky over the South Island also treated stargazers and photographers to a magical display of aurora australis in April this year.
Auroral activity results from atomic particles spiralling into the earth's north and south polar atmosphere along magnetic field lines and then colliding with atmospheric molecules, resulting in the emission of energy in different forms including light.
Scientists have warned that a really big solar eruption could wreck satellites, power and communications grids.
BRIGHT LIGHTS: Aurora Australis, or the "Southern Lights", glow in the sky over the town of Glen Oroua near Palmerston North, on April 1, 2001, in the area's most dramatic display since 1989.
