The Australian IPS Radio and Space Services division of the Australian Government has issued an auroral alert at 10.20 UT (8.20pm AEST) on 12 March 2012. The text is reproduced below.
SUBJ: IPS AURORA ALERT 1020 UT ON 12 Mar 2012 HIGH LATITUDES ISSUED AT 1020 UT ON 12 Mar 2012 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN PROGRESS. AURORA MAY BE OBSERVED DURING LOCAL NIGHT TIME HOURS IN GOOD OBSERVING CONDITIONS AT HIGH LATITUDES. Follow the progress of this event on the IPS web site by following the links to the Space Weather Status Panel, Home > Space Weather IPS would appreciate any feedback from people observing an aurora giving details of location and time. Please email to asfc@ips.gov.au Previous reports of observed aurora are regularly updated on on the IPS web site. Please follow the links, Home > Geophysical > Aurora Alert More information about IPS Aurora Alerts can be found under our mailing list by following the links, Home > Products and Services > Mailing List This alert is not subject to forecaster validation. It is automatically issued from autoscaled data which may produce a false alarm on rare occasions.
If you are in Tasmania or New Zealand, now is the time to go out and look to the South. Hopefully you have clear skies and see an aurora.