New science in plain sight: Citizen scientists lead to the discovery of optical structure in the upper atmosphere

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaq0030
• Publication Date: 2018-03-14T18:15:30Z
• Authors: Elizabeth A. MacD...; Eric Donovan; Yukitoshi Nishimura; Nathan A. Case; D. Megan Gillies; Bea Gallardo-Lacourt; William E. Archer; Emma L. Spanswick; Notanee Bourassa; Martin Connors; Matthew Heavner; Brian Jackel; Burcu Kosar; David J. Knudsen; Chris Ratzlaff; Ian Schofield
• Keywords: Lead (geology); Sight

A glowing ribbon of purple light running east-west in the night sky has recently been observed by citizen scientists. This narrow, subauroral, visible structure, distinct from traditional auroral oval, was largely undocumented scientific literature and little known about its formation. Amateur photo sequences showed colors distinctly different common types aurora occasionally indicated magnetic field-aligned substructures. Observations Swarm satellite as it crossed arc have revealed an unusual level electron temperature enhancement density depletion, along with a strong westward ion flow, indicating that pronounced subauroral drift (SAID) is associated this structure. These early results suggest optical manifestation SAID, presenting new opportunities for investigation dynamic SAID signatures ground. On basis measured properties original science name, we propose to identify Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE).