Light pillars are a kind of optical phenomenon which is formed by the reflection of sunlight or moonlight by ice crystals that are present in the earth's atmosphere. Owing to such optical phenomenon the sky sometimes seems like a natural kaleidoscope. Though light pillars seem like weather illusion , they are natural phenomena.

The light pillar looks like thin columns that that are sometimes extend vertically below or above the source of light. The Light Pillars are prominently visible when the sun is low or lies below the horizon. Normally these Light Pillars form arcs that extend from five to ten degree just beyond the solar disc. Sometimes similar reflection of moonlight by varied forms of ice crystals may also take place thus resulting in the form of light pillars.

Light Pillars are particularly formed due to the reflection of column or flat shaped ice crystals that are present in the ice or cirrus clouds, hence the name light pillars.

The light pillars have varying colors which depend on the position of the sun. When the sun remains at a high elevation, the light pillars seem bright yellow or white and when the sun lies near or at the horizon, the color of the light pillars becomes orangish, golden or crimson.

The form, structure and the position of the light pillars is determined by the varied kind and direction of the ice crystals and the height of the source of the light. Light pillars that are visible close to the ground are produced when the sun lies between six degrees of the horizon.