I always thought the aurora was something that was just in the cartoons till I actually stumbled across this site.  Yes, God forgive my ignorance but I really don't know why we were never taught stuff like this at school (maybe they did and I just never paid attention) but anyways...

Aurora in Africa (South Africa at least), is it possible? Has it ever been sited there?

Hi Ron

Aurora can be seen from anywhere on earth BUT...  It depends on the intensity of the storm, the earths magnetic field and a few other variables.

The reason people think they cant / wont see an aurora is because they think it only happens at the poles and the strongest auroral displays occur local midnight (or thereabouts) when most people are tucked up in bed.

For Sth Africa I would expect to see a moderate auroral storm at least once a year and maybe 2 or 3 times a glow on the horizon.  Like anything astronomical the darker the sky the better.

Take a look around www.spacew.com.  This site is devoted to space weather / aurora.

Hi Mr Bob

Thanks for the interesting piece of news, will spend a good amount of time looking at the site later.

But quickly, do you think we could see any sightings in Zambia?

Cheers
Ron =)

Quickly, Yes but maybe 1 or 2  per solar cycle (11 years).

The big auroral storm last November was seen in Puerto Rico which has a similar latitude to Zambia.

Thanks a lot Mr Bob =)