By On Monday night, sky-watchers in the UK were treated to the rare phenomenon known as Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (Steve), which appeared alongside the Northern Lights. Observers in Scotland and northeast England reported seeing Steve as a striking red streak in the night sky. Simon King, BBC’s Lead Weather Presenter, noted that Steve is often confused with the aurora but is distinct, manifesting as a ribbon of light that lasts from 20 minutes to an hour.
Steve’s appearance coincided with the visibility of the Northern Lights, which extended as far south as Buckinghamshire and Norfolk. Discovered in 2016, Steve is caused by a fast-moving stream of hot particles known as sub-auroral ion drifts (SAID), making its occurrence on the ground quite rare. The last sighting in the UK was reported in November 2023.
In addition to Steve, the Northern Lights were visible across various parts of the UK, with BBC Weather Watchers capturing stunning displays in the Western Isles and Kent. Increased solar activity, including one of the largest solar flares seen in seven years, has contributed to the recent phenomena.
As solar winds continue to send charged particles toward Earth, additional sightings of the Northern Lights are anticipated in the coming nights, depending on weather conditions.
