Thursday, May 15, 2014

Sun Pillar

On May 10th, I saw something that I've never seen before in Los Angeles -- a sun pillar...

Sun pillar

This shot was taken after sunset. The vertical column of light in the center of the photo is apparently caused by high altitude ice crystals. It may be nearly summer on the ground, but high up in the atmosphere, it's always cold enough for ice if the water vapor is present.

Others tell me they have seen it occasionally from southern California, but the only other place I've personally seen it is in Mongolia!  It may be that I need to get out more often at sunset or sunrise.

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