Sun Pillar

Dec 5, 2007 at 7:49 PM
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Have you ever seen a sun pillar?

Explanation: When the air is cold and the Sun is rising or setting, falling ice crystals can reflect sunlight and create an unusual column of light. Ice sometimes forms flat, stop-sign shaped crystals as it falls from high-level clouds. Air resistance causes these crystals to lie nearly flat much of the time as they flutter to the ground. Sunlight reflects off crystals that are properly aligned, creating the sun pillar effect.

Jasper sunset

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A Closer Look

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In this picture, a sun pillar reflects light from a setting Sun in Jasper, GA

Click on the small photo to the right to see it close up for more detail.

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Great photo, I don't believe I've ever heard of a sun pillar or have I seen one...thanks for the information. I'll be on the watch for one.

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the Wildlife Snaparazzo: United States; View my profile; My name is Patches. I am a Piebald Whitetail Deer. My human friend, the Wildlife Snaparazzo, has made this blog for me and my friends. She loves going around, taking shots of us doing what we do best. EATING! We all live in the North Georgia mountains in a gated community called Bent Tree. It's in a little town called Jasper. Please enjoy looking through the pix and videos of our neighborhood. I'm sure you'll find our home very interesting.