Light Pillars in Minnesota

We had 'light pillars' last night all around the Twin Cities.
VERY-VERY-COOL!!

http://wcco.com/slideshows/local_slideshow_337220001/view?slide=1

http://wcco.com/slideshows/local_slideshow_337220001/view?slide=5

If you've never seen them, they are like a ground based localized version of
the Northern Lights - only they're all around you.

It looks like 1,000 search lights all pointing straight up to the heavens.
The pictures on the TV website DO NOT do the view justice. And colors too.
Simply beautiful.

Why, on nights like these, the ground source light doesn't diffuse more as
it goes up is beyond me - as you can see in the links, pillars of light are
formed ...somehow??


Montblack
In my lifetime I've seen light pillars fill the night sky - twice now.

It's the Bat-Light, Boywonder!

Too cool! Thanks,
Jim

"Montblack" wrote in message
...
We had 'light pillars' last night all around the Twin Cities.
VERY-VERY-COOL!!

http://wcco.com/slideshows/local_slideshow_337220001/view?slide=1

http://wcco.com/slideshows/local_slideshow_337220001/view?slide=5

If you've never seen them, they are like a ground based localized version
of
the Northern Lights - only they're all around you.

It looks like 1,000 search lights all pointing straight up to the heavens.
The pictures on the TV website DO NOT do the view justice. And colors too.
Simply beautiful.

Why, on nights like these, the ground source light doesn't diffuse more as
it goes up is beyond me - as you can see in the links, pillars of light
are
formed ...somehow??


Montblack
In my lifetime I've seen light pillars fill the night sky - twice now.

It's the Bat-Light, Boywonder!

God, it's scary to know that someone else is as warped as me. That was *my*
first thought, too!

So what, exactly, causes this phenomenon?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:EgNkf.380753$084.324817@attbi_s22...
It's the Bat-Light, Boywonder!

God, it's scary to know that someone else is as warped as me. That was
*my* first thought, too!

So what, exactly, causes this phenomenon?

From http://wcco.com/weathernews/local_story_337230308.html:
Light pillars are formed when ice crystals in the sky refract the light from
ground light sources. When enough of the crystals align, pillars of light
appear in the sky.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020902.html

-Greg B.

It's the Bat-Light, Boywonder!

God, it's scary to know that someone else is as warped as me. That was
*my*
first thought, too!

So what, exactly, causes this phenomenon?

A city council (or business) with some money to spend, renting spotlights?
--
Jim in NC

So what, exactly, causes this phenomenon?

("Morgans" wrote)
A city council (or business) with some money to spend, renting spotlights?


I've seen the local skating rink light pillars as a kid - I remember those.
But to have the whole night sky filled with what look the Northern Lights,
along with rows upon rows of colorful light pillars, in any direction you
look - that's pretty rare ...for me anyway.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020902.html

http://www.sundog.clara.co.uk/halo/lpil.htm

http://www.photon-echoes.com/pillars.htm


Montblack
Who, last night, forgot he now owns a digital camera. Doh!

"Montblack" wrote

I've seen the local skating rink light pillars as a kid - I remember
those.
But to have the whole night sky filled with what look the Northern Lights,
along with rows upon rows of colorful light pillars, in any direction you
look - that's pretty rare ...for me anyway.

Cool! I had never heard of this type of phenomena before. I'm guessing
that it takes pretty cold, and relatively rare conditions.

In Ohio, (where I grew up) when it was snowing, the ceilings were usually
low, and the temps were usually not far below freezing. Not the right
conditions, I suppose.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"Montblack" wrote

I've seen the local skating rink light pillars as a kid - I remember
those.
But to have the whole night sky filled with what look the Northern
Lights,
along with rows upon rows of colorful light pillars, in any direction
you
look - that's pretty rare ...for me anyway.

Cool! I had never heard of this type of phenomena before. I'm guessing
that it takes pretty cold, and relatively rare conditions.

In Ohio, (where I grew up) when it was snowing, the ceilings were usually
low, and the temps were usually not far below freezing.

Ice crystals and snow are totally different. In Northern IL today we had
clear blue skies with ice crystals falling. You don't see snow in those
conditions. You typically see ice crystals when it is very clear and very
cold.

Not the right
conditions, I suppose.
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:
It's the Bat-Light, Boywonder!
God, it's scary to know that someone else is as warped as me. That was
*my*
first thought, too!

So what, exactly, causes this phenomenon?

A city council (or business) with some money to spend, renting spotlights?

Tron (1982)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0084827

We had 'light pillars' last night all around the Twin Cities.
VERY-VERY-COOL!!

Noticed them Saturday night, also coming from cars obscured by trees
and a curve in the highway. This was between Crosby and Brainerd
(Minnesota) - there was just a hint of snow in the air. Perhaps the
light is reflected by the small, shiny snow flakes, moving slowly in
the air. If I recall, the winds were calm and it was in or near
single-digit temps. Think of tiny mirrors.

I concur, very cool. Didn't see much in town, though. Could have just
been the angle and background.

Randy