Cornerstone

The pillar is an optical phenomenon formed by the reflection of sunlight or moonlight by falling ice crystals in the highest clouds that are present in the earth's atmosphere. A light pillar looks like narrow columns that extend vertically above and / or below the light source.

These are often visible when the sun or moon is low or below the horizon. Coming from the sun, the pillars can be called sun pillars or solar pillars. However, this phenomenon can occur from the moon or from terrestrial sources such as street lighting.

The pillars of light have also been known to raise false reports of UFOs. Niagara Falls is one of the places where the mist of the Falls makes the phenomenon appear frequently during the winter months, where the ice crystals interact with the city, where there are several spotlights that are facing the site.

Ice sometimes takes the form of flat, six-sided crystals as it falls from high altitude clouds. The air resistance makes these crystals almost flatten most of the time as they float towards the ground. Sunlight (or moonlight) reflects off the properly aligned crystals, creating the effect of the pillar.

Solar pillars are more common due to the intensity of sunlight compared to the moon. Pillars are generally more common in winter, and in colder regions.