Residents of the Lviv region are currently witnessing a rare and mesmerizing natural event — light pillars lighting up the night sky.
This phenomenon, a type of halo, appears as vertical beams of light extending upward or downward from bright sources like the Moon or streetlights. Light pillars form when light reflects off flat ice crystals suspended in the cold atmosphere.
These optical illusions are most visible during winter, when the air is cold and clear. Despite their brightness, light pillars are not actual light sources, but rather a visual effect created by the precise alignment of ice crystals in the sky.
📌 How light pillars form:
- Appear during freezing weather;
- Require flat ice crystals in the atmosphere;
- Visible above or below light sources (e.g., Moon, lamps);
- Look like vertical shafts of light;
- Best seen at night or in low-light conditions.
These stunning sights not only captivate observers but also provide valuable data for scientists studying atmospheric phenomena and crystal structures in the air.