As of today, in season, next peak: Autumn equinox cluster (~August 15). Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
STEVE is an optically visible, narrow mauve/purple arc that appears equatorward of the main auroral oval.
Satellite and ground studies link STEVE to intense subauroral ion drifts (SAID) and elevated electron temperatures in the ionosphere.
It is not a standard auroral precipitation feature and is best predicted by space weather activity rather than a fixed seasonal calendar.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Lake Minnewanka Day-Use / Lake-shore viewpoint |
| Vimy / Alberta prairie roadside pullouts (original discovery region reference) |
| + 2 more spots, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.