What Are Light Pillars?

Light pillars are a natural phenomenon that can be seen in the night sky. They appear as columns of light that seem to extend upwards from the ground. The pillars can be seen in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, and even purple.

What Causes Light Pillars?

The cause of light pillars is the reflection of light off of ice crystals in the air. These ice crystals are typically found in the form of plate-shaped hexagonal crystals. When light from a source, such as the sun or the moon, hits these crystals at a certain angle, it reflects off of them and creates the appearance of a pillar of light.

Where Can You Find Light Pillars?

One of the most common places to see light pillars is in cold, arid regions. This is because the ice crystals that create the pillars are more likely to form in these types of environments. However, light pillars can also be seen in other parts of the world, including urban areas, if the conditions are right.

Light pillars can be quite striking to see and are a popular subject for photographers. If you are interested in seeing light pillars for yourself, be sure to check the weather forecast and look for clear, cold nights, and be ready to capture the stunning sight of a light pillar with your camera.

Are Light Pillars the Same As Northern Lights?

No, light pillars and northern lights (also known as the aurora borealis) are not the same phenomenon. Light pillars are a reflection of light by ice crystals in the air, whereas northern lights are a natural light display in the sky, primarily seen in the high-latitude Arctic and Antarctic regions, caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth’s magnetic field. The northern lights are characterized by colorful lights dancing and shimmering in the night sky, while light pillars appear as columns of light rising upward from a light source on the ground.