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Credit: Jim Kirkpatrick & Brigitte Heiter-Kirkpatrick
Explanation:
Sometimes the unknown is beautiful.
In 2000 February near Lake Tahoe,
Nevada,
two amateur photographers noticed an unusual red
column of light rise
mysteriously from a setting sun.
During the next few minutes, they were able to capture the
pillar and a
photogenic sunset on film.
Pictured above, the
red column is seen above a serene
Lake Tahoe
and snow-capped mountains across from
Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park.
The mysterious column, they learned later, is a
Sun Pillar,
a phenomenon where sunlight reflects off of distant falling
ice crystals.
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Sun Pillar - mountains
Publications with words: Sun Pillar - mountains
See also: