A Glowing River over France (Astronomy Picture of the Day)

[sl8]

Last edited Wed Oct 30, 2024, 02:27 PM - Edit history (1)

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap241028.html
(many more links at source)

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2024 October 28



STEVE: A Glowing River over France
Credit & Copyright: Louis LEROUX-GÉRÉ

Explanation: Sometimes a river of hot gas flows over your head. In this case the river created a Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) that glowed bright red, white, and pink. Details of how STEVEs work remain a topic of research, but recent evidence holds that their glow results from a fast-moving river of hot ions flowing over a hundred kilometers up in the Earth's atmosphere: the ionosphere. The more expansive dull red glow might be related to the flowing STEVE, but alternatively might be a Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arc, a more general heat-related glow. The featured picture, taken earlier this month in Côte d'Opale, France, is a wide-angle digital composite made as the STEVE arc formed nearly overhead. Although the apparition lasted only a few minutes, this was long enough for the quick-thinking astrophotographer to get in the picture -- can you find him?

Tomorrow's picture: webb stars

[GiqueCee]

1. Is he waving in...

... the hay wagon to the right of the road?

[sl8]

3. I think so.

At least, that's the only person I see.

[GiqueCee]

5. Regardless...

... it is a stunning photograph and an awesome phenomenon. Thank you.

[Fla Dem]

2. Fantastically beautiful and awesome.

I just can't imagine seeing that in person.

[AllaN01Bear]

4. consider my mind blown, in a good way.

hey , steve!!

[crosinski]

6. Beautiful!

Although I didn’t understand the explanation of what it was, I admire its beauty.

[Beringia]

7. Unworldly

[Niagara]

8. Phenomenal!