I mention this because in the 1990s, while at uni in St Andrews, Scotland, I remember a trip to the astronomy observatory one evening. There was a peculiar cloud overhead - whitish purple, tube shaped and shimmering. I asked the astro professor what it was. He said, "Its a cloud" and showed no further interest. I took a photo. When I got the film developed and photos printed, you could see bright colours either side of the tube. I've always wondered a) what it was and b) why that astronomy professor was an astronomy professor when he had no interest in what the universe had to reveal to him.
I now believe it to have been a STEVE. I've still got no insight into the mind of the astro professor.
thesebas•1h ago