STEVE Phenomenon

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The cosmic phenomenon known as “Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) made a surprise appearance after a huge solar storm hit Earth.

About STEVE Phenomenon

STEVE first appeared in the sky in 2017 and has been appearing often since.
- There is evidence to support the claim that the phenomenon has been visible in the sky since 1705
It is a rare, mysterious, glowing purple arc that runs east to west and occurs closer to the equator.
How does it occur?
- The phenomenon is believed to be caused by a 25 km wide ribbon of hot plasma moving at a speed of 6 km/s (compared to 10 m/s outside the ribbon) at an altitude of 450 km
- It has been observed in New Zealand, Canada, Alaska and the United Kingdom during a specific time of the year – between October to February which lead NASA scientists to believe that its occurrence is related to seasons.

How is it different from Aurora Borealis?

Disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere due to solar wind cause Auroras.
- These disturbances occur because of enhancements in the speed of the solar wind from coronal holes and coronal mass ejections. “
While the skylights, STEVE and the Auroras might seem similar, they are nothing alike.
- To begin with, the STEVE phenomenon is closer to the equator than the Auroras.
- STEVE is different from the usual aurora, but it is made of light and it is driven by the auroral system.

Source: LM

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