In the article, there is a link to a timelapse video on vimeo [0]. The "Steve" phenomenon seems to extend on an east-west axis, assuming that the "normal" aurora borealis in the video is to the north.
Two days before (May 06, 2016) there was a geostationary satellite launch by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral (JCSAT-14 / JCSAT-2B, positioned now on 154°East) [1].
Could it be possible that "Steve" is just residual exhaust gas from the recent satellite launch which may behave similar to an actual aurora phenomenon when ionized?
Two days before (May 06, 2016) there was a geostationary satellite launch by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral (JCSAT-14 / JCSAT-2B, positioned now on 154°East) [1].
Could it be possible that "Steve" is just residual exhaust gas from the recent satellite launch which may behave similar to an actual aurora phenomenon when ionized?
[0] https://vimeo.com/166121341 [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_in_spaceflight#May