Light Pillars Appear in Inner Mongolia

Light pillars are seen in Xilinhot City, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Dec. 30, 2015. The effect is created by the reflection of light from numerous tiny ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere or clouds. The light can come from the Sun (usually when it is near or even below the horizon) and causes the phenomenon called a sun pillar or solar pillar. It can also come from the Moon or from terrestrial sources such as streetlights. [Photo: weibo.com]