The pillar is a halo phenomena belonging to the group of photometeors. It is a narrow continuous or broken trail of light (in fact it is the collective glint of millions of ice crystals in Cirrus clouds) which is observed vertically above and below the sun, moon or even the bright planet Venus. Commonly observed during sunrise or -set, the pillar take on the colors of the sun and clouds, usually white but at other times shades of yellow, red or purple. They often lengthen and brighten after sunset and vice versa before sunrise.

The picture with view towards the east was taken during sunrise with a discontinuous, but bright, pillar above the sun.