Within Explanations
The weather tricks behind strange lights
Cold-weather optics, wildfire haze and long twilight can turn ordinary lights into strange shapes or colours.
On this page
- Ice halos and light pillars in extreme cold
- Smoke haze and colour shifts around aircraft
- Summer twilight, satellites and high altitude lights
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Introduction
Many reports of strange lights in the Northwest Territories begin with a genuine observation but end with an ordinary explanation. The territory’s combination of extreme cold, frequent wildfire smoke, vast horizons and unusually long twilight creates conditions that can make familiar objects appear unfamiliar. A distant aircraft can glow orange through smoke, a streetlight can seem to project a beam into the sky through ice crystals, and a satellite can remain sunlit long after the landscape below has fallen into darkness. None of these effects make witnesses careless or unreliable. They show why northern sightings often require careful checking before they can be treated as unexplained. In the Northwest Territories, weather and lighting conditions are not a side issue in UFO investigations; they are often the first place to look for answers. [National Weather Service+2gi.alaska.edu]weather.govNational Weather ServiceWhat Causes Halos, Sundogs and Sun Pillars?They develop as a result of ice crystals slowly falling through the ai…
The weather tricks behind strange lights
Within the broader history of unusual sky reports in the Northwest Territories, some of the most persistent sighting traps come from atmospheric optics rather than aircraft or astronomy. The same conditions that make northern skies spectacular can also distort colour, shape, brightness and apparent motion.
The challenge is especially important because many reports involve brief observations. A witness may see a light for only seconds, without radar data, photographs or a second viewing angle. Under those circumstances, visual perception can be strongly influenced by ice crystals, haze or unusual lighting conditions. Investigators therefore look not only at what was seen, but also at temperature, visibility, smoke conditions and the position of the Sun below the horizon. [National Weather Service+2CMOS BULLETIN SCMO]weather.govAvoiding Wildfires&Smokeinfluence of wildfire…
Ice halos and light pillars in extreme cold
The Northwest Territories experiences prolonged periods of intense winter cold, creating ideal conditions for airborne ice crystals. These tiny crystals can produce some of the most dramatic optical displays seen anywhere in Canada.
Light pillars are among the most frequently misidentified. They appear as vertical columns of light extending above or below a bright source. To an observer unfamiliar with the effect, they can resemble hovering beams, stationary craft, or luminous structures hanging in the sky. In reality, they are produced when light reflects from flat ice crystals suspended in very cold air. The pillars often take on the colour of the original light source, which explains why they can appear white, yellow, orange, red or even green. [Yahoo+3Wikipedia+3National Weather Service]WikipediaLight pillarJanuary 8, 2026 — A light pillar or ice pillar is an atmospheric optical phenomenon in which a vertical beam of light appears to extend a…
In northern communities, artificial lights can generate particularly striking displays. Streetlights, industrial facilities, airport lighting and illuminated buildings may appear to send vertical shafts of light far into the sky when diamond-dust ice crystals are present. The effect can persist for long periods, creating the impression of a stationary object. [psl.noaa.gov+2gi.alaska.edu]psl.noaa.govGlittering Light on WaterPhysical Sciences Laboratory - NOAAby HGP are Formed · 1999 · Cited by 15 — Glitter patterns on water are similar to vertical light pilla…
Other ice-crystal phenomena can be equally misleading:
- Rings around the Moon or Sun.
- Bright spots known as sundogs on either side of the Sun.
- Arcs and patches of light appearing away from the Moon or Sun.
- Reflected images of bright objects within high ice-crystal clouds.
These displays arise because hexagonal ice crystals refract and reflect light in predictable ways. However, to a witness who sees only part of the phenomenon, the result can seem highly unusual. [National Geographic+2iWeatherNet]nationalgeographic.comNational Geographic'Heavenly' Ice Halos Form Over New Mexico—What…Jan 15, 2015 — Those frozen specks of water bend or refract light in…
For Northwest Territories UFO history, this matters because many winter sightings occur during precisely the conditions that favour ice-crystal optics: calm air, extreme cold and clear visibility.
Smoke haze and colour shifts around aircraft
Wildfire smoke presents a different but equally important source of confusion. The Northwest Territories regularly experiences major fire seasons, and smoke can remain aloft across enormous distances.
Smoke changes how light travels through the atmosphere. It reduces contrast, alters colour and makes distant lights appear larger, dimmer or more diffuse than they really are. Aircraft navigation lights viewed through thick smoke may shift toward orange, red or amber tones. Bright lights can seem to glow, pulse or blur into unusual shapes. [Atmosphere Copernicus+3Skies Mag+3AOPA]skiesmag.comsmoke canadian wildfires prompts faa slow traffic airports northeastern usWhile smoke impacts the safe operations of…Read more…
A particularly deceptive situation occurs near sunset or sunrise. Aviation weather specialists note that smoky haze can dramatically reduce slant-range visibility when observers look toward the low Sun. Under these conditions, ordinary aircraft lights can appear suspended against a brightly coloured background, making distance and speed difficult to judge. [National Weather Service]weather.govAvoiding Wildfires&Smokeinfluence of wildfire…
This matters in the Northwest Territories because aviation is central to life across the territory. Scheduled passenger flights, cargo aircraft, medevac operations and wildfire-response aircraft routinely operate over remote regions. When smoke is present, observers may see lights whose true position and movement are difficult to estimate. A light that appears to hover may actually be an aircraft travelling almost directly toward the observer, while smoke obscures the visual clues that would normally reveal its motion. [Skies Mag+2AOPA]skiesmag.comsmoke canadian wildfires prompts faa slow traffic airports northeastern usWhile smoke impacts the safe operations of…Read more…
The result is not that every smoke-season sighting is explained, but that smoke introduces a significant source of uncertainty that investigators must account for before drawing stronger conclusions.
Summer twilight, satellites and high-altitude lights
The Northwest Territories occupies latitudes where twilight behaves differently from most of southern Canada. Around the summer solstice, darkness can be greatly reduced and, in some locations, twilight can persist throughout the night. [Time and Date+2Wikipedia]timeanddate.comTime and DateCivil Twilight – Definition and ExplanationAt high latitudes and around the summer solstice, the Sun does not move lower tha…
This creates a classic sighting trap. An observer on the ground may believe night has arrived because the landscape appears dark. Yet high above the Earth, satellites and aircraft at great altitude can still be illuminated by sunlight.
Civil twilight officially ends when the Sun is six degrees below the horizon, but at northern latitudes significant illumination can continue long afterwards. During these periods, satellites may appear as bright moving lights crossing a darkening sky. Because they remain sunlit while the observer is already in shadow, they can seem self-luminous. [US Naval Observatory+2National Weather Service]aa.usno.navy.milUS Naval ObservatoryRise, Set, and Twilight Definitionscivil twilight begins before sunrise and ends after sunset when the geometric zeni…
The effect is especially important today because large satellite constellations have increased the number of visible objects shortly after sunset and before sunrise. Astronomical studies have shown that the highest numbers of illuminated satellites occur during twilight periods, when they are still catching sunlight above the Earth’s shadow. [arXiv]arxiv.orgOn the Impact of Satellite Constellations on Astronomical Observations with ESO telescopes in the Visible and Infrared DomainsMarch…
Northern twilight can also make high-altitude aircraft appear unusual. Contrails, aircraft lights and reflective surfaces may remain brightly illuminated long after the ground has darkened. From a distance, the result can resemble a glowing stationary object or a light changing colour for no obvious reason.
In many historical sighting reports, the timing of the observation—whether it occurred during civil, nautical or astronomical twilight—can be as important as the witness description itself.
Why these sighting traps matter
Ice crystals, smoke and prolonged twilight do not explain every unusual light reported in the Northwest Territories. Some sightings remain poorly documented or unresolved. However, these atmospheric effects are common enough that they deserve routine consideration before a report is classified as anomalous.
The practical lesson is straightforward. When a witness reports a beam of light during extreme cold, investigators should check for ice-crystal conditions. When a glowing object is seen during wildfire season, smoke visibility data becomes relevant. When a bright moving light appears during a northern summer evening, twilight and satellite passes deserve attention before more exotic explanations are considered. Time and Date+3National Weather Service+3Wikipedia [weather.gov]weather.govNational Weather ServiceWhat Causes Halos, Sundogs and Sun Pillars?They develop as a result of ice crystals slowly falling through the ai…
Within the Northwest Territories’ UFO record, these mechanisms are important not because they dismiss witnesses, but because they help separate genuinely puzzling cases from sightings that were shaped by the remarkable optical environment of the North.
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Endnotes
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Source: weather.gov
Link: https://www.weather.gov/arx/why_halos_sundogs_pillarsSource snippet
National Weather ServiceWhat Causes Halos, Sundogs and Sun Pillars?They develop as a result of ice crystals slowly falling through the ai...
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Source: gi.alaska.edu
Title: ice crystal halos
Link: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/alaska-science-forum/ice-crystal-halosSource snippet
Jan 7, 1986 — Ice crystals constantly form and fall through the polar atmosphere, creating colored arcs and halos that really have to be...
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Source: weather.gov
Title: Avoiding Wildfires&Smoke
Link: https://www.weather.gov/media/abq/Aviation/SAWSX/AvoidingWildfires%26Smoke.pdfSource snippet
influence of wildfire...
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Source: bulletin.cmos.ca
Title: BULLETIN SCMOVisibility Forecast in Wildfire Smoke
Link: https://bulletin.cmos.ca/visibility-forecast-in-wildfire-smoke/Source snippet
CMOS BULLETIN SCMOVisibility Forecast in Wildfire Smoke - CMOS Bulletin27 Apr 2020 — My case study examines the relationship between visi...
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Source: nrc.canada.ca
Title: interpreting results sunrisesunset calculator
Link: https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/products-services/software-applications/interpreting-results-sunrisesunset-calculatorSource snippet
National Research Council CanadaInterpreting the results of the sunrise/sunset calculator21 Nov 2024 — Twilight start and Twilight end ti...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Light pillar
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pillarSource snippet
January 8, 2026 — A light pillar or ice pillar is an atmospheric optical phenomenon in which a vertical beam of light appears to extend a...
Published: January 8, 2026
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Source: yahoo.com
Title: freezing fog creates rare light 200708177
Link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/freezing-fog-creates-rare-light-200708177.htmlSource snippet
These lights tend to take on the color of the light...Read more...
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Source: psl.noaa.gov
Title: Glittering Light on Water
Link: https://psl.noaa.gov/outreach/education/science/glitter/Source snippet
Physical Sciences Laboratory - NOAAby HGP are Formed · 1999 · Cited by 15 — Glitter patterns on water are similar to vertical light pilla...
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Source: iweathernet.com
Title: a look into the brilliant displays of atmospheric optics
Link: https://www.iweathernet.com/educational/a-look-into-the-brilliant-displays-of-atmospheric-opticsSource snippet
22 Nov 2017 — Halos can have a white appearance depending on the depth of the ice clouds, and sometimes halos can reveal the full colorfu...
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Source: Wikipedia
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_%28optical_phenomenon%29Source snippet
Halo (optical phenomenon)A halo is an optical phenomenon produced by light interacting with ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere...
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Source: aopa.org
Title: weather smoke gets in your eyes
Link: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2023/august/flight-training-magazine/weather-smoke-gets-in-your-eyesSource snippet
Smoke gets in your eyes10 Jul 2023 — Smoky haze from Canadian wildfires descends on Frederick Municipal Airport to make flying conditions...
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Source: atmosphere.copernicus.eu
Title: large smoke transport canadian wildfires reaches europe
Link: https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/copernicus-large-smoke-transport-canadian-wildfires-reaches-europeSource snippet
Typical effects of these episodes are manifested as more hazy skies with red/...
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Source: Wikipedia
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TwilightSource snippet
TwilightCivil twilight (or white night) from sunset to twilight can extend through solar noon at latitudes below 72.561° (72°33′43′′)...
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Source: weather.gov
Link: https://www.weather.gov/lmk/twilight-typesSource snippet
National Weather ServiceTwilight TypesCivil Twilight: Begins. Evening civil twilight begins at sunset, and ends when the geometric center...
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Source: arxiv.org
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.01992Source snippet
On the Impact of Satellite Constellations on Astronomical Observations with ESO telescopes in the Visible and Infrared DomainsMarch...
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Source: weather.gov
Link: https://www.weather.gov/Source snippet
National Weather ServiceFire Weather Concerns and Severe Thunderstorms through the Weekend · ACTIVE ALERTS · FORECAST MAPS · RADAR · Stan...
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Source: timeanddate.com
Link: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/civil-twilight.htmlSource snippet
Time and DateCivil Twilight – Definition and ExplanationAt high latitudes and around the summer solstice, the Sun does not move lower tha...
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Source: nationalgeographic.com
Link: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/150114-ice-halo-weird-weather-phenomena-scienceSource snippet
National Geographic'Heavenly' Ice Halos Form Over New Mexico—What...Jan 15, 2015 — Those frozen specks of water bend or refract light in...
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Source: skiesmag.com
Title: smoke canadian wildfires prompts faa slow traffic airports northeastern us
Link: https://skiesmag.com/news/smoke-canadian-wildfires-prompts-faa-slow-traffic-airports-northeastern-us/Source snippet
While smoke impacts the safe operations of...Read more...
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Source: aa.usno.navy.mil
Link: https://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/RST_defsSource snippet
US Naval ObservatoryRise, Set, and Twilight Definitionscivil twilight begins before sunrise and ends after sunset when the geometric zeni...
Additional References
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/11aix32/light_pillars_caused_by_ice_crystals/Source snippet
Light pillars caused by ice crystals: r/mildlyinterestingLight pillars, an optical phenomenon caused when light is refracted by ice crys...
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Source: kalendis.free.nf
Link: https://kalendis.free.nf/twilight/index.htmSource snippet
Duration of TwilightCivil twilight ends after sunset or begins before sunrise when the solar depression angle is 6° = solar zenith angle...
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Source: glimpseofinfinity.com
Title: ice crystals diamond dust light pillars a night i ll never forget
Link: https://glimpseofinfinity.com/tutorials/ice-crystals-diamond-dust-light-pillars-a-night-i-ll-never-forget/Source snippet
Ice Crystals, Diamond Dust & Light Pillars: A Night I'll Never...17 Jan 2024 — Light pillars are an atmospheric phenomena created when t...
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Source: scottsastropage.com
Link: https://scottsastropage.com/types-of-twilight/Source snippet
During this phase, there is still enough natural light for most outdoor activities...Read more...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ttboaR5X4Q&vl=enSource snippet
; 0:26 – How Ice Crystals Create the Effect; 0:44 – How Light Reflection Produces Pillars; 0:54 – Light Sources...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeWaldenbergerMeteorologist/videos/the-length-of-twilight-not-the-movie-depends-on-latitude-with-higher-latitude-lo/700152145741572/Source snippet
er-latitude locations generally experiencing longer periods of twilight...
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Source: backcountrypilot.org
Title: flying in smoke smokey haze safe or not 23288
Link: https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/flying-in-smoke-smokey-haze-safe-or-not-23288Source snippet
Flying in smoke/smokey haze- safe or not?4 Jul 2019 — Smoke is usually consistent meaning if you have 1-3 miles visibility it usually sta...
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Source: ruisdael-observatory.nl
Title: canadian forest fire smoke colours our sunset
Link: https://ruisdael-observatory.nl/canadian-forest-fire-smoke-colours-our-sunset/Source snippet
29 Aug 2024 — Scattering of sunlight by the smoke particles in the air coloured the sky bright red-orange during sunset last week.Read more...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2365809903441367/posts/25389117027350662/Source snippet
tric center of the sun reaches 6° below the horizon.[3][4][5]...
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Source: reddit.com
Title: Rare phenomenon last night near Denver
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/Denver/comments/s8kwah/rare_phenomenon_last_night_near_denver_light/Source snippet
Light pillars...It only takes place in fog and mist when the atmosphere above the light source is under freezing - thus supplying the ne...
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