Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sl8

(16,206 posts)
Tue Oct 29, 2024, 08:07 AM Yesterday

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

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

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A Glowing River over France (Astronomy Picture of the Day) (Original Post) sl8 Yesterday OP
Is he waving in... GiqueCee Yesterday #1
I think so. sl8 Yesterday #3
Regardless... GiqueCee 19 hrs ago #5
Fantastically beautiful and awesome. Fla Dem Yesterday #2
consider my mind blown, in a good way. AllaN01Bear Yesterday #4
Beautiful! crosinski 19 hrs ago #6
Unworldly Beringia 7 hrs ago #7
Phenomenal! Niagara 7 hrs ago #8
Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»A Glowing River over Fran...