Sun Pillar

Sun Pillar - (meteorology) A luminous streak of light, white or slightly reddened, extending above and below the sun, most frequently observed near sunrise or sunset; it may extend to about 20° above the sun, and generally ends in a point. A visual phenomenon created by the reflection of light from ice crystals with near horizontal parallel planar surfaces.

I photographed this sun pillar this evening from Pine Island, NY, as the sun set behind Mt. Pochuck. No photo can do it justice - it was much more visible and brilliant to the naked eye, like a searchlight.