On January 2, 2026, striking pillars of light were observed north of St. Petersburg, Russia. This atmospheric phenomenon, known as light pillars, occurs in very cold weather when light reflects off millions of tiny, flat ice crystals suspended in the air. The crystals, typically hexagonal plates, align horizontally as they fall, creating bright vertical beams that appear to connect the ground to the sky. The display was visible due to city lights reflecting off these ice crystals in sub-zero temperatures with fresh snow on the ground.