Cosmic rainbows light up the sky as Aurora Australis visits Tasmania

Australia's island state of Tasmania is often forgotten about, but the small island off the south of the mainland got all the attention this week, as the Aurora Australis danced across Taz's night skies.

All across social media, amateur and professional photographers alike documented the breathtaking natural phenomenon.

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The Aurora Australis is the southern hemisphere counterpart to the more widely known Aurora Borealis. And it's just as beautiful.

Appearing as sheets of light, both the Australis and Borealis are brightest the closer you travel to either the south or north poles.

While Tasmania is often the butt of jokes because of its relatively small population, there is one huge benefit to life on the island state (aside from its excellent art galleries and stunning natural landscape) — front row seats to the most captivating natural light event in the southern hemisphere.

For those under the equator and interested in seeing the beautiful natural phenomenon first hand, you can follow the Aurora Australis' movements at Australia's online broadcast service here.