Viewer Mary Moore phoned me earlier today (Monday) describing a vertical ray of light
she observed Monday morning and captured on a photograph taken by her friend Anna
Kowalczyk. The column of light emanated from the rising sun which was just breaking
above the horizon. Mary wondered what this phenomenon was and if it had a name. It
does indeed! What Anna's captured so beautifully in this photo is what is known as a
"light pillar"----a vertical column of light which emanates from a light source—in this
case, the sun. Light pillars are most often observed in the arctic, where bitterly COLD
temperatures such as those we've experienced here in recent days are common.
Suspended ice crystals in such air masses reflect light from a light source. This most
often occurs with the sun it is low to the horizon—as in this daybreak shot early
Monday morning (1/26). These pillars of light have been observed extending vertically
from streetlights---even the moon! We’ve had other inquiries about this phenomenon
in recent weeks—but Anna's photo is among the best example of the phenomenon
we've received. Thanks to Mary and Anna for sharing this with us---and thanks to all
who have inquired about the phenomenon.
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Anna Kowalcyzk
