A light pillar is a visual phenomenon created by the reflection of light from ice crystals with near horizontal parallel planar surfaces. The light can come from the Sun (usually at or low to the horizon) in which case the phenomenon is called a sun pillar or solar pillar. It can also come from the Moon or from terrestrial sources such as streetlights.

An installation of Canadian artists Caitlind Brown and Wayne Garrett is displayed during the Lumina Light Festival in Cascais September 14, 2014. Lumina Light Festival shows artworks of artists from several countries, which are displayed during a tour around Cascais. (Photo by Rafael Marchante/Reuters)

A man poses standing on a rock looking at the aurora borealis, or northern lights, illuminating the night sky at Embleton Bay in Northumberland, England, on February 27, 2014. The northern lights is a fantastical natural light display with fast moving light effects caused by particles charged by the sun colliding with particles in Earth's upper atmosphere. (Photo by Tom White/PA Wire)

Picture made available by “All About Lapland” on March 24, 2023 and taken on on late March 23, 2023 shows colourful northern lights (Aurora borealis) appearing around the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi, Finland. The northern lights appeared right after dawn, and they continued all the way through the night. (Photo by Alexander Kuznetsov/All About Lapland/AFP Photo)

Przemek Pawlicki performs during training in Leszno, Poland on May 12, 2016. A stunning action-packed catalogue of photographs from sporting events around the world has been released by Red Bull. The energy drink giant's photographers have been busy capturing extraordinary images of action sports and some of the world's greatest daredevils. (Photo by Lukasz Nazdraczew/Red Bull/SWNS.com)

An echidna light sculpture eating ants is displayed during a media preview of Vivid Sydney illuminated displays at Taronga Zoo on May 24, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. Vivid is lighting up at Taronga Zoo for the first time with ten giant animal sculptures representing critical species the zoo is committed to protecting. Held annually, Vivid Sydney is the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas running for 23 days. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

A couple covered with the US and the pride flags pay their tribute for the victims of a 12 June mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, USA, as they look at the Eiffel tower, illuminated in rainbow colours, in Paris, France, 13 June 2016. A total of 50 people including the suspect were killed and 53 were injured in a shooting attack at an LGBT club in Orlando, Florida, in the early hours of 12 June. The shooter was killed in an exchange of fire with the police after taking hostages at the club. (Photo by Yoan Valat/EPA)