Daily Archives: January 27, 2014

What was that column of light extending above the setting sun?

A vertical shaft of light extending above a setting or rising sun is called a sun pillar. You could have seen this optical phenomenon if you were looking at the sunset on Jan. 18.

While sun pillars look like vertical beams of light projected above the sun, they are actually a collection of reflections of millions of ice crystals floating in the atmosphere. Continue reading

Category: Phenomena

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