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.

The Aurora Borealis seen across the sky in Lapland, Finland. The beautiful phenomenon was captured by photographer Marko Korosec on a trip to the arctic region of Lapland in Northern Finland. He used long exposures on his Canon DSLR to create the stunning images. (Photo by Marko Korosec/Barcroft Media)

Green algae sits on a beach in Kuwait City, Kuwait, 28 February 2017. The formation of green algae is a normal phenomenon that occurs every year at the shores of Kuwait. (Photo by Raed Qutena/EPA)

People take a selfie as the sun sets over Manhattan aligned exactly with the streets in a phenomenon known as “Manhattanhenge”, in New York City, U.S., July 11, 2016. (Photo by Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters)

Desk Safari is a new office phenomenon where you align your coworker’s head with an animal body on your desktop and take a photo. This is especially amusing if your coworker isn’t aware of what’s going on.

A vintage American car drives down a road as a crab tries cross the road in Giron, Cuba, Saturday, April 9, 2022. The yearly migration causes concern to drivers that try to swerve in a futile attempt not to kill the crustaceans and are a nuisance to residents but the sight of their travels across the road is a wonder for tourists and anyone interested in the phenomenon. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

A skater observes pancakes snow on the frozen Lake des Rousses in Les Rousses, central-eastern France, on January 1, 2025. This phenomenon forms when slushy ice in water clumps into round, pancake-like shapes due to waves or currents. (Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP Photo)

The Brocken specter or mountain spectre phenomenon, where the shadow of an observer is magnified and cast on a cloud opposite from the sun or bright light source, is observed on the Howgills, outside Sedbergh, Britain, on December 26, 2024. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters)