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OP-PH-07  << previous picture back to the gallery next picture >> 
flame pillar
This short and weak light pillar was observed from the same roof terrace as the previous picture in this gallery. The photo was taken on Christmas Eve 2002 at 1:26 a.m.. The pillar appeared in a band of cirrus that moved from the southwest to the northeast, i.e. from left to right for someone looking in the direction of the flame. Several smaller bands of altocumulus drifted by as well but did not produce a reflection. The camera, lens and film were the same as those used for OP-PH-06, but with an exposure time of 15 to 20 seconds and the aperture now set at f/4. The distance between the light source and the camera was 8.6 km (5.3 miles). The altitude of the reflective layer was calculated to have been close to 5.1 km (16,732 feet).

A very vivid light pillar was observed by the photographer about one hour and ten minutes earlier, be it under very poor circumstances (from inside a car, driving on a busy ring-road around Antwerp, and with buildings and street lights almost continuously blocking the view).

[© Wim VAN UTRECHT/CAELESTIA]