'Pillars of Light' In Japan Triggers Alien Invasion Rumours Online

The natural world is full of magic-like occurrences that may make one believe in the supernatural or the extra-terrestrial. Earlier this month, stunning photos that showed nine suspended lines or pillars of light in the Japanese night sky went viral. The photos were taken over the sky of the coastal town of Daisen in Japan’s Tottori prefecture. As the post went viral with over 12 million views, another person shared a photo that showed similar pillars of light, this time over the Nariishi Beach in Kotoura Town, located just 12.7km east of Daisen.

Maashii, the person who clicked the first photo, told Japanese website Hint-Pot that he has only seen these types of mythical-looking lights three or four times since he moved to Daisen nine years ago. When he spotted them at 10 pm on May 11, he quickly took out his phone and captured some pictures.

As these photos raked in thousands of likes and began circulating across social media platforms, many people speculated that the lights were signs from aliens, an appearance of angels, or a signal that extra-terrestrial forces might invade Earth. Many people also joked that it appeared that some sci-fi manga series were coming to life.

However, the reality behind these lights is not less awe-inspiring than the conspiracy theories. According to a 2015 article in Japan Today, many coastal towns in Japan see the emergence of similar “pillars of light”. They occur when overnight temperatures come down and the water vapour in the air forms into lines of ice crystals.

On very rare occasions, the weather conditions are such that the crystals are formed but there is no precipitation. As a result, the crystals stand suspended in the air. The light from the shipping boats hits these crystals, which in turn reflect the light and shine brightly as if they are light rods. This phenomenon is called “isaribi kochu” which translates to “fish-attracting light pillars.”

However, it is rare to spot “isaribi kochu”. According to Japan Today, even the lighthouse staff gets to witness them just once a year.

This phenomenon is not unique to Japan. In November last year, beams of light emerged over many parts of Alberta in Canada. Michael Kavulich, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, told Fox Weather that “light pillars” are formed when, during very calm conditions, the ice crystals in the clouds act like mirrors and reflect lights shining from the ground.

The cause of mysterious light pillars may not be supernatural, it is still a result of unique and rare natural occurrences.