A group of Scientists and Aurora photographers have discovered a strange yet captivating phenomenon on April 22, 2017. The new phenomenon is named as Steve, and it is a beautiful purple streak of light which was present within the auroras.

Initially, Aurora watchers believed that they are proton arc, but Eric Donovan, Associate Professor at the University of Calgary strongly believed that proton aurora is something which is invisible.

Eric Donovan lightheartedly named it 'Steve.'

To know more about this natural phenomenon, Donovan approached the Swarm, a project of the European Space Agency, and tried learning more about it.

After monitoring the ground sightings, strength, variation and direction of the Earth's magnetic field, the research team found out that this is absolutely a new phenomenon which the World Of Science is still unaware about. Considering the beauty of the newly discovered phenomenon, Donovan and the group of researchers finalized a peppy name like Steve for this natural marvel.

When a 'swarm' satellite flew inside the event, the heat plunged to 3000 degree Celsius, in an area 300 km above the surface of the Planet. The date also revealed 25 kilometers wide ribbon of gas, flowing at a faster rate (six kilometers per second) when compared to the speed at the outer area.

After naming this phenomenon, Donovan issued a press release which conveyed his gratitude towards all the citizen scientists who played a crucial role in documenting it.

Steve: A tribute to 'Over the Hedge.'

In a recently published BBC report, the reporter came up with an interesting news regarding the selection of a name like 'Steve.' As per BBC, the name Steve has been given as an homage to the 2006 released animated movie "Over the Hedge." In the movie, the central characters meet a strange character they have never encountered before and finally ends up in naming it 'Steve.'

Some other people believe that the name Steve is a scientific acronym, and it can be expanded as Sudden Thermal Emission from Velocity Enhancement.

Whatever be the case, Steve has perplexed the entire scientific community, and more studies on this phenomenon will be continued in the coming days.

The discovery of Steve also points out the role citizen scientists can play in space research and development. Roger Haagmans, an ESA Swarm scientist, told that space research would reach new heights if citizens too involve in contributing to the world of science.