fényoszlopok

Fényoszlopok, also known as light pillars, are a type of atmospheric optical phenomenon that appears as a vertical shaft of light extending above or below a bright light source. These pillars are not beams of light in the traditional sense but rather an optical illusion caused by the reflection of light off ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.

The formation of light pillars requires specific conditions. Tiny, plate-shaped ice crystals must be present in the air, and these crystals need to be oriented horizontally as they fall. When light from a source, such as the sun, moon, or even artificial lights on the ground, strikes these horizontally aligned ice crystals, it is reflected downwards or upwards. This reflection creates the appearance of a column of light.

The color of a light pillar typically matches the color of the light source. For instance, a sun pillar will often appear reddish or orange due to the scattering of sunlight. Moon pillars tend to be white or grayish. The length and intensity of a light pillar depend on the size and concentration of the ice crystals, as well as the brightness and position of the light source.

Light pillars are most commonly observed during cold weather when ice crystals are more likely to form and remain suspended in the lower atmosphere. They can be seen from various locations, from remote wilderness areas to urban environments with sufficient light pollution. While they are a natural phenomenon, their visual impact can be striking and has led to them being a subject of interest for meteorologists and skywatchers alike.