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Stunning Vertical Light Pillars and Auroras Photographed Over Russia

March 16, 2019
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2 min read
VERTICAL AURORAS
Stunning Vertical Light Pillars and Auroras Photographed Over Russia
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On a freezing cold night in Apatity — a city in Murmansk Oblast, Russia — Valentin Zhiganov was photographing two women in a hot tub with the northern lights dancing in the sky above. That's when he noticed another striking natural phenomenon, the Daily Mail reported.

There were vertical light pillars, extending from the horizon into the auroras, visible above the northwestern Russian city.

(Photo by Valentin Zhiganov/Caters News)

Zhiganov said the sight is pretty rare — especially when the pillars reach such heights. "It was the first time I ever saw this type of aurora and we all enjoyed the view — despite the low temperatures," he said.

At the time, the temperatures were about minus 30 degrees Celsius (about minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit). "I am really glad I was able to take some decent shots of this rare optical illusion."

(Photo by Valentin Zhiganov/Caters News)

But Les Cowley, a former physicist and an expert in atmospheric optics, told TPG that this phenomenon is "quite common in near subzero temperatures."

According to Cowley's site, Atmospheric Optics, the light pillars are an optical illusion created by cold weather conditions when "plate-shaped ice crystals, normally only present in high clouds," hover in the air near the ground. When nearby light sources, either natural or artificial, reflect off the suspended ice crystals, the light is reflected and seems to form a vertical column.

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Because they can appear in dazzling colors, depending on the light source, the pillars often have an aurora-like (or alien-like) quality.

(Photo by Valentin Zhiganov/Caters News)

While there really is no telling when you're going to come across vertical light pillars (though positioning yourself far north, in below freezing temps, is a good place to start), you'll have a better shot predicting the appearance of the Northern Lights. Above the Arctic Circle, you can still view them through April in destinations around the world.

Feature photo by Valentin Zhiganov/Caters News.

Featured image by Caters News Agency

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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