Light Pillars over Alaska . ... In most places on Earth , a lucky viewer can see a Sun-pillar , a column of light appearing to extend up from the Sun caused by flat fluttering ice-crystals reflecting sunlight from the upper atmosphere . Usually these ice crystals evaporate before reaching the ground. During freezing temperatures, however, flat fluttering ice crystals may form near the ground in a form of light snow , sometimes known as a crystal fog. ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...