People are seen near a Christmas decoration installed on city Square for the upcoming New Year and Christmas season in Skopje, Macedonia December 23, 2016. (Photo by Ognen Teofilvovski/Reuters)

View of a light show on the city's iconic Arc de Triomphe monument during the New Year celebration in Paris, France, December 31, 2016. (Photo by Jacky Naegelen/Reuters)

The Swiss Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) is illuminated by giant light projection "The Jewel of the Mountains" in Bern, Switzerland October 15, 2015. The light and sound show will run every evening until November 29, 2015. (Photo by Ruben Sprich/Reuters)

A man poses for a picture in front of Christmas lights decoration at the Francisco Morazan square in San Salvador, El Salvador, December 22, 2020. (Photo by Jose Cabezas/Reuters)

The Northern lights made an appearance just after midnight on Wednesday over Sycamore Gap in Northumberland, North East England on September 13, 2023, with the aurora pillars visible. (Photo by Ian Sproat/Picture Exclusive)

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)