Images of bright columns appearing in the sky over Hanoi in the early morning of May 19 have been quickly captured and shared by many residents on social media. Netizens have speculated about this unusual phenomenon, referring to it as the “Heavenly Staff” or “a connection road to a parallel universe.”
In fact, similar images of bright columns, either identical to those in Hanoi or resembling them, have also been recorded in various locations such as North Platte (Nebraska, USA) and Elkins (West Virginia, USA).
Recently, on May 11, nine bright columns appeared in the night sky over Daisen City (Tottori Prefecture, Japan), described by local residents as looking like “swords of light” from a science fiction film.
Image of bright columns in the sky over Hanoi on the early morning of May 19. (Photo: Hanoi 24h).
So, what are these bright columns?
According to Science ABC, they are an optical phenomenon occurring in the atmosphere at low temperatures and involving flat ice crystals forming at different altitudes (in the atmosphere). While discussing the movement and behavior of these crystals can be complex, essentially they reflect natural and artificial light. The reflected light extends into a column shape, potentially reaching high into the sky. These bright columns can appear in various colors, depending on the color of the light source they reflect. The larger and denser the crystals, the more pronounced the effect. Additionally, the higher the crystals are in the atmosphere, the taller the bright columns appear, according to a spokesperson from the National Weather Service (NWS) speaking to CNN.
Light sources related to this phenomenon can be ground-level lights, street lamps, and even sunlight or moonlight.
Image of a similar bright column in Elkins (West Virginia, USA) in January this year. (Photo: Dustin George).
However, for a bright column to form, the atmosphere must be calm, without wind. Although wind is not directly related to this phenomenon, it can easily disrupt the reflection of light.
These bright columns do not actually exist; they are merely optical illusions created by crystals that reflect light. However, only ice crystals arranged in a certain way, under specific atmospheric conditions, can create the appearance of these bright columns, according to AccuWeather. Therefore, this phenomenon is very rare.
Bright columns can appear quite varied. (Photo: NWS).
In the case of the nine bright columns in Japan, Japan Today explains that the light sources were lamps placed on fishing boats to attract fish. At night, when temperatures in the atmosphere drop, ice crystals form at high altitudes, coupled with other favorable conditions and no rain, these crystals reflect light, creating bright columns.
The nine bright columns recently observed in Japan. (Photo: X).
Thus, the image of bright columns in the sky over Hanoi can also be explained in this way and is not a mystery, nor does it relate to any “extraterrestrial beings.”
