Crazy Lights in the Sky Over Pennsylvania

[GhostDakota]

I was working late when some co-workers came to me saying there are weird lights in the sky? I was laughing 'cause lately in the news there have been UFO sitings in the area:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=6513117

So I figured it was something funny like that.. but was I surprised when I saw them. They look like pillars of light. They were in the East and Southern skies. I'm clueless and about to start my Google search.

I've seen the Northern Lights from here in PA before and did take photos (example here):

But it didn't move like the Northern Lights do. These pillars got dim and bright... that's it.

Best photos I could take in 28* weather without gloves. Used my D2x, had ISO around 500 at first and wasn't happy, so dipped back to 100. I did exposures from 10-25 seconds long. F-stop is listed on the EXIF info on the link I listed with all the photos. Lens was my kit 18-70. Tripod was a Bogen with a non-ball head. I don't have the info on it as it was being borrowed from the photo studio for these shots. The last shot was on my Sony POS video camera tripod ;-)

After getting gas on the way home I found an open area for a shot:

Whole album here:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/gallery/6602803_U3V6x

Weird...

Looks like the news is aware of it now...

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/ugc/?id=34782954
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/index

EDIT: I submitted 'em to the local TV stations and received this reply from NBC 10:

"Hey Rick,

Thank you for sending in the photos. They look great! Would you be willing to let us use the other photos in your gallery on our site too?

Thanks!

Vince"

Sweet

I am now on Channel 6's website (Scroll through the photos to get to mine):
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/gallery?section=news&id=6515386&photo=1

And Channel 10:
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/weather/stories/Planes_Rains_or_UFOs.html

And they said my name on the Air on Channel 10! haha

 

[redneckboarder]

DUDE!! that is freakin sweet as sh%$, post up your findings as to what it is. im curious too

 

[igotanxj]

weeeeeeiiiiird. i wonder what it is

 

[GhostDakota]

I think they are lights reflecting off of ice crystals. Google: "light columns" or "light pillars"

 

[redneckboarder]

oh thats pretty sweet, and even getting your name on the news haha

 

[GhostDakota]

Yah NBC had a problem pronouncing my last name.. but it is hard to pronounce... Best they've had it so far!

 

[bluejeepkid]

aurora borealis....google it
its the northern lights, a rarity in the lower 48, common in alaska

 

[GhostDakota]

It's not the Northern Lights. Like my post said I've seen the Northern Lights here in PA before. These are Light Pillars.. Google them ;-)

 

[Darky]

aurora borealis....google it
its the northern lights, a rarity in the lower 48, common in alaska

Pay attention mmkay pumpkin? That don't look like no Northern lights I've ever seen...not to mention the picture he showed as comparison.

 

[Ba-Riedo]

Pay attention mmkay pumpkin?

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[GhostDakota]

lol

 

[muduck18]

:loveu:yeah sorry about that I had a light show at my house and forgot to turn them off.:jester:

 

[OverlandZJ]

It's just from my Xmas lights that i tested last night. Ya'll silly..

 

[GSequoia]

The aliens are coming to get you, better watch out and just to be safe duct tape your anus shut.

 

[xjcjfreek]

Im in canada and ive seen lights like that on more than one occasion. The northern lights present themselves differently depending on the time of year, air pressure (kpa), temperature, humidity, etc,etc.

 

[GhostDakota]

Yah the Northern Lights move (kinda dance) across the sky, kinda like a moving flag. These lights were dead still. They just faded/got brighter.

 

[WB9YZU]

I think I found a website that covers this.
http://www.atoptics.co.uk/halo/lpil.htm

Is that what you saw?

 

[Steve_Moore]

That's the trail of the Black Helicopters. :smoker:

 

[Skwerly]

WOW! Wicked, man, that sky looks downright eerie!

 

[GhostDakota]

I think I found a website that covers this.
http://www.atoptics.co.uk/halo/lpil.htm

Is that what you saw?

Yes you did! I e-mailed them already and they said one of my photos will be the new POD very shortly :-D