Palmyra Pillars

May 18, 2008

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Provided by: Joseph Perry, Palmyra-Macedon CSD
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster, Joseph Perry

Cold temperature in Palmyra, New York, on this early January day (January 3, 2008) in combination with well-positioned light beams, caused these peculiar pillars of light. In essence, hexagonal ice crystals floating in the lower atmosphere are reflecting the artificial light emanating from the school. For artificial pillars to form, the air near the ground must be not only cold, but also very stable.

Photo details: Kodak Z7590 digital camera with manual setting, 800 ISO, f2.8, and 8/10ths of a second exposure.