Late-night onlookers in at least four Australian states witnessed the majestic colours of the Aurora Australis last night.

A geomagnetic storm caused by charged particles emitted from the sun produced a dazzling display of colours in both the northern and southern hemispheres during the last 24 hours.

Auroral displays are caused when charged particles emitted by the sun rush towards Earth and interact with gases in our atmosphere. This interaction can cause curtains of vivid lights in the night sky across high latitudes in both hemispheres.

Australia is usually too far north to see the Aurora when a weak event occurs. However, Thursday night's Aurora was strong enough to be seen from parts of Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

The photos below show some of the stunning scenes that were captured by our community across southern areas of Australia on Thursday night and early on Friday morning.

Image: Yorke Peninsula SA. Source: @sue_hancock_photography / Instagram

Image: Nile, TAS. Source: @brendancbartlett / Instagram

Image: Northern TAS. Source: @shotswithjohnny / Instagram

Image: South Arm, TAS. Source: @benjstrike / Instagram

Image: Tinderbox, TAS. Source: @nathanlauphoto / Instagram

Image: kunanyi / Mount Wellington, TAS. Source: @ashcoops1 / Instagram

Image: Kingston, TAS. Source: @ashcoops1 / Instagram

Image: Yenyenning Lake WA. Source: @dansearlephoto / Instagram

Image: Bells Beach, VIC. Source: @notamandolin2 / Instagram

Last night's Aurora Australis also coincided with Diwali, the Hindu 'festival of lights' that takes place around the date of the new moon. These dark skies from last night's new moon certainly played a role in making the Aurora look so spectacular.