Sun Pillar over Yellow Springs, Ohio

February 23, 2024

Sunpillar2024-02-23b

Photographer: John Chumack
Summary Author: John Chumack

Shown above is an impressive sun pillar that caught my attention as the Sun was setting one day last month while driving near Yellow Springs, Ohio. I first noticed it in my rear-view mirror, and when I found a spot with an open view, I pulled off the road to get a better look. Pillars are vertical shafts of light extending upward or downward from the Sun. Typically seen during sunrise or sunset, they form when sunlight reflects off the surfaces of similarly oriented ice crystals (either free-falling or in cirrus type clouds) that are tipped in the direction of the viewer. This beauty lasted for about 15-minutes. The colors were intense!  Photo taken on January 17, 2024, at about 5:40 p.m. local time.

Photo Details: Captured with my I-Phone 14 plus; unedited.   

Yellow Springs, Ohio Coordinates: 39.8064, -83.8869

Related Links:

Brilliant Sun Pillar over Jennison, Michigan

John's Website