STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) is an optical phenomenon of the sub-auroral ionosphere arising from extreme ion drift speeds. STEVE consists of two distinct components in true-color imagery: a mauve or whitish arc extended in the magnetic east-west direction, and a region of green emission adjacent to the arc, often structured into quasi-periodic columns aligned with the geomagnetic field (the “picket fence”). This work employs high-resolution imagery by citizen scientists in a critical examination of fine scale features within the green emission region. Of particular interest are narrow “streaks” of emission forming underneath field-aligned picket fence elements in the 100–110-km altitude range. The streaks propagate in curved trajectories with dominant direction toward STEVE from the poleward side. The elongation is along the direction of motion, suggesting a drifting point-like excitation source, with the apparent elongation due to a combination of motion blur and radiative lifetime effects. The cross-sectional dimension is <1 km, and the cases observed have a duration of ~10–30 s. The uniform coloration of all STEVE green features in these events suggests a common optical spectrum dominated by the oxygen 557.7-nm emission line. The source is most likely direct excitation of ambient oxygen by superthermal electrons generated by ionospheric turbulence induced by the extreme electric fields driving STEVE. Some conjectures about causal connections with overlying field-aligned structures are presented, based on coupling of thermal and gradient-drift instabilities, with analogues to similar dynamics observed from chemical release and ionospheric heating experiments.

The 3D Printed Magnetosphere Project is a collaboration between Aurorasaurus and the NASA STEAM Innovation Lab, both partners of the NASA Space Science Education Consortium (NSSEC). The Earth’s magnetosphere is a complex, multifaceted, and intangible system that poses unique challenges to science communication and education. Two-dimensional diagrams inherently oversimplify its structure and processes, leading to misunderstood or incomplete understandings of the physics involved. In addition, diagrams lack tactile accessibility, excluding some learners. While three-dimensional tactile models with nested components are classic tools for illustrating biological and geophysical concepts, similar models have not yet been created for the magnetosphere. This project is an effort to create the first physical, open-source, customizable, three-dimensional, and 3D-printed model of the magnetosphere. We provide a NASA STEAM Lab Exploration Idea Profile detailing the current scope and future potential for the product. Our preliminary model is intended to provide a starting template that illustrates the following basic structures: the magnetosheath; an equatorial cross-section; a torus representing the outer radiation belt; the ring current; and Earth, including the crust, mantles, core, and aurora. The magnetosheath will be hinged and open on the x-axis like a case or shell, revealing the other structures nested inside. The components will be removable, and the radiation belt and Earth will have the capability of opening to reveal interior structures. The printable model will be shared with the Maker community, enabling customization to illustrate specific concepts, add classroom features, and provide tactile accessibility for learners with low vision. In addition, crowdsourced expertise from the space physics and Maker communities will contribute greatly to further refinements. This presentation will provide an overview of the model and explore its potential applications. These could include better contextualizing not only physics concepts, but missions like the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) launched in 2015 to study the Earth’s magnetosphere, using four identical spacecraft flying in a tetrahedral formation. It is currently exploring magnetic reconnection, one of the mechanisms that causes aurora.