light pillars are an optical phenomenon where columns of light can be seen emanating from below or above a light source.

Generally seen in cold, arctic regions, light pillars are an optical phenomenon where columns of light can be seen emanating from below or above a light source.  Light pillars occur when natural or artificial light reflects off flat ice crystals in the air close to the Earth’s surface. Light pillars caused by the Sun are called Solar or Sun pillars. When the light source is the Sun, light pillars are usually seen when the Sun is near the horizon. Because the ice crystals in the atmosphere reflect the source light, light pillars tend to take on the color of the light source.