Rare Light Phenomenon “Steve” Captivates Northern Hemisphere
A rare and captivating light phenomenon known as “Steve” has been causing a sensation in the Northern Hemisphere as more people spot the mysterious lights in areas where they don’t typically appear, including parts of the United Kingdom.
The phenomenon first caught the attention of scientists in 2016 when a group of citizen scientists at a pub in Calgary, Alberta, observed and named it “Steve”. The name, borrowed from the animated film “Over the Hedge”, has stuck despite scientists developing an acronym for the phenomenon: Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (SAID).
What makes Steve truly unique is that it appears closer to the equator than the familiar auroras. It is characterized by a purple-pink arch accompanied by striking green, vertical stripes. While visually different from auroras, Steve is composed mostly of the same materials and shows up at lower latitudes as a streak of mauve-colored light with distinctive green bands.
Although Steve can be elusive to the naked eye, it is best viewed through the lens of a camera. Photographers are encouraged to get involved with online communities, such as Aurorasaurus, which connects them with scientists and helps improve our understanding of these mesmerizing light shows. Scientists rely on the photos contributed by the public to further their research and study of Steve.
Steve is most likely to be observed around the equinoxes in the spring and fall, and is often seen alongside auroras. The phenomenon is also more likely to appear during auroral storms, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding its sighting.
Experts believe Steve is a result of a narrow flow of charged particles in Earth’s upper atmosphere, occasionally becoming visible to the naked eye as this captivating light display. It is the combination of these particles that creates the unique purple-pink hue and the mesmerizing green bands that have left spectators in awe.
Whether it’s the Purple Lady or the Dancing Dragon, Steve’s true nature and origin are yet to be completely understood. However, with the increasing number of sightings, there is hope that further research and collaboration between scientists and the public will shed more light on this fascinating phenomenon.
In the meantime, enthusiasts and curious onlookers can continue to gaze at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive Steve as it gracefully dances across the heavens.
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