Just a day after NASA kicked off its study to learn more about unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), columns of mysterious lights were observed over the southern island of Jeju, South Korea, on October 26.
Startled and confused, many people took to social media to post pictures of this unusual occurrence, only to find out that these lights aren’t exactly “unidentified”.
Popularly referred to as light pillars, these streaks of light have been observed in various parts of the world on multiple occasions. Here's another recent instance captured in Japan's Hokkaido just earlier this month:
These light pillars are essentially an atmospheric optical phenomenon in which vertical beams of light appear to extend above a light source. This light source can be man-made as well — something as simple as streetlights or well-lit boats in the sea.
The light is then reflected back by high-altitude clouds or tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere, and this reflection is what causes the mesmerising effect.
Interestingly, a similar phenomenon also occurs when the vertical beam of light extends below a light source, which usually happens to be the Sun near the horizon. In such cases, the phenomenon is called a sun pillar or solar pillar. Here’s an example:
To clarify, the light pillars aren’t physically located above or below the light source. Instead, their appearance as a vertical line is simply an optical illusion caused by the light’s collective reflection off ice crystals.
Very interesting, isn’t it?
**
For weather, science, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It's free!
