THOMPSONVILLE, Ill. -- Here is something you don't see everyday. Ashley Ridgeway captured a photo of what appears to be a pillar of light coming from the ground in Thompsonville, Illinois.
While we can't say for certain what happened here, one of our meteorologists states it's likely a rare phenomenon.
Our meteorologist explains that light pillars occur during extremely cold air masses that allow ice crystals to be suspended in the atmosphere. When artificial lights from the ground shine bright at night, this light is then refracted and reflected off these ice particles to create what looks to be pillars of light in the night sky.
Our meteorologist explains that light pillars occur during extremely cold air masses that allow ice crystals to be suspended in the atmosphere. When artificial lights from the ground shine bright at night, this light is then refracted and reflected off these ice particles to create what looks to be pillars of light in the night sky. (Credit: Ashley Ridgeway)
It’s a fairly rare phenomenon, especially for places in the United States since you need extended periods of time with extremely cold temperatures.
