High in the skies of the South Pacific there has been a wondrous sight over the past few weeks.

Check out this video that shows the stunning view of the aurora australis which was taken on September 11 as the International Space Station descended over eastern Australia, then changed direction to pass just east of New Zealand. It was created from a sequence of still shots taken by astronauts on board the ISS.

The aurora australis occurs when ions in the solar wind collide with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere. Atoms excited by these collisions emit light as they return to their original energy level, creating the visible aurora.

Auroral activity is on the rise as the 11-year sunspot cycle increases to an expected peak early in 2013.

There have been sightings of this amazing display across the South Island of New Zealand, including Canterbury and Lake Tekapo. So New Zealand Wintermester students, keep an eye out!