PHOTOS: Rare optical phenomenon seen in Canadian skies

A rare atmospheric optical phenomenon has been seen in Canadian skies this week.

Images and a video posted online appear to show light pillars in Alberta on both Monday and Tuesday.

They look like beams of light shooting into the sky, but are actually ice crystals causing an optical effect.

Ice crystals generally occur in very cold regions in the form of needles, columns or plates, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says on its website.

X / @dartanner

“Also called ‘diamond dust,’ ice crystals appear like fog but with individual water particles forming directly as ice,” it says.

“The shape of the individual ice crystals causes the ‘light pillar’ optical effect above a light source.”

The poster said there was a -30 windchill Monday morning when the photos were taken, and it was -20 C Tuesday morning when this video was shot:

WOW!! Want to see what light pillars look like to the eye?? And close up even?! Taken this morning in Lacombe, Alberta at -20°C#TeamTanner @treetanner @weathernetwork @WeatherNation @weatherchannel @spann pic.twitter.com/IHcjNvYja5

— Dar Tanner (@dartanner) November 26, 2024

WOAH!! Beam me up!👽
Light pillar season is back in Central, Alberta! Taken this morning with -30°C windchill.

#TeamTanner @treetanner @spann @mikesobel @YourMorning @MatthewCappucci @MeredithFrost @WeatherNation @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/M6xw2tvdjq

— Dar Tanner (@dartanner) November 25, 2024