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Astronomy/orange glow in sky 12/4/2009

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 12/9/2009


Question
At 7:10 PM on 12/4/2009 I was driving my car in a suburban Pittsburgh, PA neighborhood. I witnessed an orange glowing streak in the western sky (at about 40 degrees)It was basically perpendicular to the horizon. The shape was elongated and about the same length as my index finger at arms length. The glow was moderate, not bright and remained in about the same position most of the evening. I went outside after 11PM and the shape was less defined, more spread out and appeared to be more of a pulsing light than previously. The shape (when it was more defined) did not extend to the ground, rather it began and ended in the sky. I believe it was an atmospheric phenomenon, probably not some type of UFO. Any ideas?

Answer
The first thing that comes to my mind is an Ice Pillar.

When the air is cold, microscopic crystals of ice get caught up in the orange/yellow glow of sodium vapor street lights and form a perpendicular glow.  

That is the only thing I can think of, not actually seeing it.

Steve

Astronomy

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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