Aurora Australis lights up the Deep South

Images of yesterday's solar phenomenon, the Aurora Australis, showed gentle hues of pink, yellow and blue lighting up the sky in areas of the south below Christchurch. Photo / Ian Griffin

A raging solar storm has given way to a glorious array of lights in the skies above the lower South Island.

Images of yesterday's solar phenomenon, the Aurora Australis, showed gentle hues of pink, yellow and blue lighting up the sky in areas of the south below Christchurch.

Astronomer Ian Griffin said the solar storm was now fading, but hopeful residents could try their luck again tonight.

This is where I live. My galaxy, my planet, my country, my mountain, my hometown. #Dunedinisgreat #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/TzX89Rn9YC

— Ian Griffin (@iangriffin) April 13, 2016

"If sky is clear, go out over sunset and look to the south, where the aurora originates from."

He said the storm had begun just after dawn New Zealand time yesterday.

"It was raging, so there were some lovely pictures in Scotland during our day."

Mr Griffin said New Zealand's turn for the aerial display came just after sunset.

Lovely night of stargazing with gentle aurora daubing Cape Saunders sky with pastel hue #Dunedinisgreat #astronomy pic.twitter.com/8jfs208P4o

— Ian Griffin (@iangriffin) April 13, 2016

He's tweeted a series of images from his expedition to catch a glimpse of it in his hometown of Dunedin.

Milky way rising on moonlit night with aurora. Astonishing colours of night in Otago! #Dunedinisgreat pic.twitter.com/bctr0VfFcc

— Ian Griffin (@iangriffin) April 13, 2016