Sleep-deprived photographers and stargazers across Tauranga are saying it was worth it, following a breathtaking display of the Aurora Australis on Saturday night.

And excitement is mounting, as according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA - it may happen again tonight.

Tauranga Astronomical Society president David Greig is keeping a close eye on the solar updates ahead of Sunday evening.

"From what I've heard, NOAA are saying the activity is likely to continue over the weekend. There was an even larger CME yesterday, yet to arrive," says David.

This rare display of shimmering lights dancing across the southern horizon is a spectacle rarely seen here. It is helped by an exceptionally large group of sunspots that have been active in recent days, unleashing several earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections, also known as CMEs.

David says he noticed the aurora not long after 6pm on Saturday night.

"By 6.45pm it was getting quite intense. There was a major outburst at around 8.45pm for about 10-15 minutes.

"It flared up again around 12.15am, 12.30am and 2.30am."

David filmed a timelapse of the Aurora Australis as it appeared across the Tauranga night sky:

David says to have seen the aurora well, viewers needed to have been looking south.

"It seemed to be mostly south-southwest last night."

The Aurora Australis is a celestial dance of light caused by the interaction of charged particles from the solar wind with interplanetary magnetic fields and atmosphere. These charged particles, mainly electrons and protons, collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, producing vibrant hues of green, pink, purple, and red that paint the night sky.

David says the CMEs were expected to arrive over the weekend, potentially producing spectacular auroral displays in our southern skies.

On Saturday night, Tauranga's skies lit up as stunning and mostly fuchsia-coloured lights danced across the horizon, captivating photographers across the region.

From romantic moments at the Minden Lookout - which has a limited view to the south; to farmlands in Te Puke, Paengaroa and the Kaimai range; through to beach and urban scenes at Omokoroa, Matua,  Maungatapu and Otamarakau, SunLive readers have ventured out to capture the rare and mesmerizing event.

Jessica Schuez managed to capture Starlink in her aurora photo over Tauranga, while Becky Smith photographed what could be the Saturday night's "most Kiwi photo" with flax, feijoa, the Southern Cross AND the Aurora Australis all in the same image.

Enjoy photographs of Aurora Australis, captured on Saturday May 11, 2024, from our SunLive readers:

Starlink captured just before it dropped below the horizon, with Aurora Australis. Photo: Jessica Schuez.

Some creative photography with people "hanging lights" on the Aurora. Photo: Kevin Gatfield.

A romantic moment at the Minden Lookout. Photo: Mark and Lauren Rogers.

Aurora Australis photographed from the Omokoroa Wharf, with the Matakana Ferry in foreground. Photo: Hayley Duffy.

Photo: Chloe Phillips Photography.

Photo: Chloe Phillips Photography.

The Aurora Australis over Tauranga, photographed from Maungatapu. Photo: John van den Broek.

The Aurora Australis over Tauranga, photographed from Maungatapu. Photo: John van den Broek.

Aurora Australis photographed from Matua. Photo: Vaughn Burgess.

Aurora Australis photographed from Matua. Photo: Vaughn Burgess.

Aurora seen from a farm on Omanwa Road. Photo: Luke Richards.

Aurora seen from the Minden Lookout. Photo: Mark and Lauren Rogers.

Is this not the most Kiwi photo with flax, feijoa, Southern Cross and the Aurora Australis all in the same photo? Photo: Becky Smith.

The Aurora from Otamarakau. Photo: Charmaine Cook.

Aurora Australis photographed at 8.51pm on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from Maungatapu. Photo: Blissful Photography.

Aurora Australis photographed at 8.48pm on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from Maungatapu. Photo: Blissful Photography.

Aurora Australis, Saturday night, May 11, 2024. Photo; Supplied.

Old Te Puke Hall, No 2 Road, 9.20pm, Saturday May 11, 2024. Photo: Roz Kurzfeld.

Paengaroa. Photo: Kelly Stern.

Palm Springs, Papamoa. Photo: Supplied.

One of our SunLive readers from Tetii, Kerikeri in Northland, sent us this photo of the aurora. Photo: Lola Korewha.