An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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An atmospheric optical phenomenon appearing as a vertical shaft of light extending from the Sun or other bright light source during very cold weather. Light pillars or → sun pillars occur when artificial light or sunlight near the horizon is reflected from falling ice crystals associated with thin, high-level clouds. The ice crystals have a hexagonal plate shape and fall with a horizontal orientation, gently rocking from side to side as they fall.

→ light; → pillar.