Spectacular Aurora Australis lights up parts of southern Australia

A massive solar storm has created rare and spectacular auroras around the world. Communities as far north as Queensland saw southern lights often only seen in Tasmania and people across Florida and Alabama also got a rare glimpse of northern lights.

The Aurora Australis illuminates the sky from Brighton beach in Melbourne Source: AAP / Michael Nigro / George Hitchens / SOPA Images/George Hitchens / SOPA Images/Sipa USA