Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
Long recognized as a symbol of scientific discovery, not all scientists working in controlled environments under laboratory conditions make groundbreaking advancements. Occasionally, a revolutionary shift in scientific knowledge occurs during an informal conversation. Such is the case for an unusual phenomenon dubbed “Steve” that mesmerizes stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere. Steve appears as a magnificent display of purple and green lights over the horizon, reminiscent of an aurora but distinct in nature.
The scientific significance of Steve came to light about eight years ago when Elizabeth MacDonald, a space physicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, was in Calgary, Canada. At the time, there was little understanding or documentation of Steve since it appeared closer to the equator than the typical auroras and consisted of a purple-pink arch accompanied by green, vertical stripes.
Origins of the Name
During a casual conversation at a local pub, scientists, including astrophotographer Neil Zeller, debated the nature of the phenomenon featured in images captured. It was then that another aurora enthusiast, Chris Ratzlaff, suggested naming the mysterious lights, proposing “Steve” as a temporary moniker. The name, inspired by the animated film “Over the Hedge,” stuck despite scientific explanations emerging to demystify Steve.
Characteristics of Steve
Steve differs visibly from auroras, with its streak of mauve-colored light accompanied by distinctive green bands. Photographer Donna Lach, who has captured images of Steve on roughly two dozen occasions, highlighted that a Steve often appears alongside an aurora but not all auroras include a display of Steve.
How to Observe Steve
As Earth enters a phase of enhanced solar activity, otherwise known as solar maximum, sky gazers may have the opportunity to witness a Steve at low latitudes. The dazzling phenomenon is most likely to be observed around the equinoxes in the spring and fall, making September a prime month for catching sight of Steve.
