A Sun Pillar Over Sweden . ... When the air is cold and the Sun is rising or setting , falling ice crystals can reflect sunlight and create an unusual column of light. Ice sometimes forms flat, six-sided shaped crystals as it falls from high-level clouds . Air resistance causes these crystals to lie nearly flat much of the time as they flutter to the ground. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . NASA Official: Jay Norris. ... A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC . ...