In May 2024, the aurora - the Southern Lights - made a dramatic appearance in the night skies of New Zealand.

Material fired out from a sun spot crashed into the planet’s atmosphere during May and caused the skies of New Zealand to light up with vivid colourful skies. The last time there was such a strong solar storm was in 2003.

Lynmore Scouts of Rotorua had a camp at Tukino Skifield on Mount Ruapehu and experienced this magnificent night sky. Wanting a memento of their weekend, we used one of their photos to make a printed badge. A printed (or sublimation) badge has the advantage of allowing shades of colours to be shown. Spectacular!