Light Pillars: Amazing Natural Phenomenon

Photo credit: National Geographic

From a distance, it looks like someone spared no expense to put on a spectacular, colorful light show that can be seen from miles away. But these strange columns of light that often confound onlookers are actually caused by the combined forces of light and falling ice crystals.

Photo credit: Walter Tape

Usually seen only in polar regions, light pillars – as this phenomenon is called – result when natural or artificial light bounces off ice crystals as they waft to the ground. When the light source is close to the ground, the pillars appear above the floating crystals. When the light is coming from the sun or moon, the pillars appear beneath the crystals.

Photo credit: National Geographic

The height and brightness of light pillars depends upon the shape of the ice crystals. Crystals with plate or column shapes produce the most stunning effects. Ice crystals that cause light pillars can be found in ice clouds, ice fogs, blowing snow and what is known as diamond dust – ground-level clouds made up of tiny ice crystals.

Photo credit: ArborSci.com

While light pillars formed by sunlight may only extend a few degrees, in artificial light, they can extend 90 degrees or more depending on your vantage point.

Learn more about the science of light pillars at The Weather Doctor.

Link [National Geographic]

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