Aurora Chasers Travel as Activity in WA Decreases
ABC is in South West WA.
The topic is space.
High fuel prices do not stop two photographers from WA from taking pictures of aurora australis.
Leonie and Dean McFaull live on Molloy Island, which is 320km south of Perth.
Their town has little light pollution, which is good for taking pictures of the night sky.
The McFaulls take great pictures of the night sky.
They took a great picture of Angels Wings during a big storm in 2024.
Many photographers like the McFaulls love taking pictures of aurora australis.
The McFaulls started taking pictures in February 2023.
They have taken pictures of over 100 solar storms.
The McFaulls' home helps them take good pictures because it is dark.
Mr McFaull says he does not need much sleep.
Aurora australis looks different every time, and in WA, it looks more pink.
The pink color of aurora australis in WA is because of how the sun's electrons hit the oxygen atoms.
The electrons make red light when they hit the oxygen atoms high up in the air.
The McFaulls' camera can take wide pictures, but sometimes the aurora is too big.
The aurora can be right above the McFaulls' heads.
The McFaulls have taken pictures of over 100 auroras.
It is time for the McFaulls to move to a new place.
The McFaulls want to see the green and violet colors of aurora australis, which they can see in Tasmania.
People in Tasmania see aurora australis 2-3 times a week.
The McFaulls are currently traveling to Tasmania.
They saw many caravans on the road.
The color of aurora australis in WA is reddish-pink.
Many people are still on holiday.
The weather forecast says it is a good time for aurora chasers to move.
There is less solar activity now.
The solar activity cycle is 11 years.
The solar activity will be quieter now.
The McFaulls are going to Tasmania to take more pictures of aurora australis.
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