Reports of a strange pillar of light shooting down from the sky to the ground in Florida would likely describe a phenomenon known as a light pillar. While these atmospheric events can appear unusual and even mysterious, they are a natural optical phenomenon, not an extraterrestrial or supernatural event.

Light pillars are created by the reflection of light from tiny, plate-shaped ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. The crystals act like millions of tiny mirrors, collectively reflecting a light source in a vertical column. The phenomenon is typically seen in very cold climates, like those in Canada or Alaska, where flat, hexagonal ice crystals can form in the air close to the ground, sometimes referred to as “diamond dust.” These crystals flutter as they fall, and when they align horizontally, they reflect light from a source—such as the sun, moon, or even a strong terrestrial light like a street lamp—upward or downward, creating the illusion of a vertical beam.

While a pillar of light is more common in colder regions, it can occur anywhere with the right atmospheric conditions. For a light pillar to be seen in Florida, the air would need to be unusually cold and still, allowing the ice crystals to form and remain suspended. The light source for the pillar could be anything from a setting sun to a bright light on the ground. The color of the pillar itself is determined by the color of the light source it is reflecting. Therefore, an orange or white pillar of light in Florida would most likely be a rare but explainable atmospheric effect.