Sometimes during very cold weather, vertical columns of light beaming directly upwards are visible.

It can also come from the Moon or from terrestrial sources such as streetlights.

Light pillars are typically seen in polar regions.

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When the light source is close to the ground, the light pillar appears above the floating crystals.

Photo credit

Source:National Geographic

Arctic air combines with river steam and a corn milling plant’s steam to produce light pillars over Blair Nebraska, thanks to ice crystals floating in the air from the steam sources. A setting moon adds to the scene, creating a light pillar of its own.

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