OPOD - Venus Pillars

Last updated on September 16, 2023

OPOD - Venus Pillars: A Captivating Atmospheric Phenomenon

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and been captivated by the celestial beauty? The wonders of the atmosphere often present us with breathtaking displays, and one such phenomenon is the occurrence of Venus pillars. These ethereal columns of light add a touch of magic to our nights, enchanting observers with their elongated shapes and shimmering radiance.

On a December night in Hungary, Monika Landy-Gyebnar embarked on a quest to witness a lunar eclipse. Unfortunately, thick clouds obstructed her view of the eclipse. Just as she was about to abandon her endeavor, she noticed something extraordinary. Above the pine trees, the bright planet Venus stood, adorned with a captivating aureole that possessed a well-elongated shape. As the evening progressed and the sky darkened, the aureole transformed into a clearly visible pillar. However, as Venus descended lower in the sky, the pillar eventually vanished as it reached the end of a layer of clouds.

The mesmerizing Venus pillars are created by millions of wobbly hexagonal plate-oriented ice crystals. These crystals possess the ability to reflect light towards our eyes, resulting in the formation of vertical column-like halos. Interestingly, unlike most halos, Venus pillars do not require perfect crystals. In fact, they are often formed by larger imperfect crystals that naturally tend to wobble from their horizontal orientation.

The height of the pillar halos is directly influenced by the degree of wobbling exhibited by the ice crystals. The greater the wobble, the taller and more prominent the pillars appear. This phenomenon lends an element of variability and uniqueness to each instance of Venus pillars, making them all the more fascinating.

As with many atmospheric optical phenomena, the appearance of Venus pillars is dependent on specific conditions aligning perfectly. The presence of ice crystals in the atmosphere, coupled with the illumination from a bright celestial object such as Venus, creates the ideal conditions for the formation of these stunning pillars. It is this interplay between natural elements and celestial light that gifts us with these awe-inspiring displays.

The formation of Venus pillars is not limited to a single location or time. Observers from various parts of the world have been fortunate enough to witness this captivating phenomenon. While the sighting described earlier took place in Hungary, similar occurrences have been documented in other regions as well.

To fully appreciate the allure of Venus pillars, it is essential to understand their dynamic nature. The pillars undergo changes in shape and visibility as the sky transitions from twilight to darkness. Initially, they may appear as elongated aureoles, gradually transforming into distinct and recognizable pillars as the surrounding environment darkens. This evolution adds an element of anticipation and mystique to the experience, making the observation of Venus pillars even more enthralling.

In conclusion, Venus pillars are a mesmerizing atmospheric phenomenon that enchants observers around the world. Created by wobbly ice crystals reflecting light from a celestial object such as Venus, these ethereal columns of light add a touch of magic to our night skies. Each sighting presents a unique and captivating experience, as the pillars evolve in shape and visibility throughout the evening. The interplay between natural elements and celestial light creates a truly enchanting display that reminds us of the wonders of our atmosphere. So, next time you find yourself gazing up at the night sky, keep an eye out for the enchanting Venus pillars that may grace the heavens above.

Venus Pillars on Eclipse Night

All bright object can make ice crystals glint to produce pillar halos. On lunar eclipse night in Hungary, December 10, Monika Landy-Gyebnar captured those of the Evening Star. ©Monika Landy-Gyebnar, shown with permission

" I went out to see the lunar eclipse but there was no chance because clouds obscured that part of the sky. I was just thinking of coming home when I noticed that bright Venus hanging above the pine trees had an aureole with a well elongated shape. It was not yet dark and Venus was 8 to 9° high. A bit later as it came lower the oval-like shape changed to a clearly visible pillar. I think as the sky darkened the pillar became more recognizable. When the Venus reached 4° the pillar disappeared as the cloud layer ended there."

Millions of wobbly hexagonal plate oriented crystals each reflect light towards the eye to produce halos that look like vertical columns. The greater the wobble the taller are the pillar halos. Unlike most halos, pillars do not need near perfect crystals and most are formed by large imperfect ones that have a natural tendency to wobble from horizontal.

Early and late aureoles/pillars

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