Understanding the phenomenon of light columns in the Winnipeg night sky

2024-01-04 22:08:58

Columns of light of various colors twinkled in the Winnipeg sky on the night of December 31. This rather spectacular phenomenon occurs under “unique conditions,” emphasizes Jacques Bourgeois, director of communications and marketing at Marais Oak Hammock in Manitoba.

A luminous column is a kind of pillar of light which seems to rise from a luminous point, indicates the scientific popularizer. Winnipeg’s city lights were the source of light for the columns seen on New Year’s Eve.

For these pillars of light to form, you need “a cold temperature, but also a saturated atmosphere where the water will form into ice crystals rather than snowflakes,” adds Mr. Bourgeois. The weather must also be very calm, without wind, so as not to move these crystals.

“It is the light which will reflect on these small crystals and which will make us appear as a kind of large jet of light which rises towards the sky. »

— A quote from Jacques Bourgeois, director of communications and marketing at Marais Oak Hammock in Manitoba

Jacques Bourgeois mentions that although this phenomenon is best observed from outside the city, those who are in the city can see it as well.

Video content is available for this article.

On the night of December 31, columns of light were observed in the sky over the city of Winnipeg.

PHOTO: Radio-Canada / Julienne Rwagasore

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