In a tale that has intrigued many, a Reddit post from January 12, 2017, brought to light a bizarre incident in North Michigan involving strange lights and a supposed UFO encounter. The story, recounted by a man to his friend and colleague Christopher Connolly, has since captivated UFO enthusiasts and skeptics alike.

#### The Story Unfolds

The narrative began with a casual conversation over drinks, where a man shared an unbelievable experience with his boss. Initially met with skepticism, the story quickly took a serious turn. The man described an event that occurred two decades earlier, around 2:30 AM, near Glen Harbor in North Michigan. While driving alone in a remote area, his car was suddenly enveloped in an intensely bright light accompanied by a painful, shrieking noise.

A keen photographer, the man had his camera on the passenger seat. Overcoming his fear, he stepped out of his vehicle and witnessed a hovering craft above him. The craft remained stationary for what seemed like an eternity. He managed to capture several photographs before the craft eventually disappeared.

#### The Photographic Evidence

To substantiate his story, the man retrieved old photographs from a filing cabinet, leaving his colleague stunned. The images, taken with an older camera model, depicted a snowy night illuminated by strange light formations resembling pillars rising from the ground. These lights had a bluish tint and appeared to originate from a valley, extending into the night sky.

The analysis of these photographs, posted anonymously on Reddit by a user claiming to be the colleague of the witness, did not reveal any visible craft. Instead, the images showcased an area heavily illuminated, with no signs of human activity or vehicles. The mysterious lights seemed to interact with low-lying fog or clouds, creating a surreal, otherworldly effect.

#### Potential Explanations

Skeptics have proposed several theories to explain the light phenomenon captured in the photographs. One possibility is that the lights were emanating from a construction or fracking site, or even a distant town. However, the most plausible explanation offered is that of Light Pillars—an atmospheric optical phenomenon.

Light Pillars occur when light reflects off numerous small ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere, creating vertical columns of light. This phenomenon is common in colder climates, including Michigan, and can be produced by artificial light sources like streetlights or natural ones such as the Sun or Moon.

#### The Reddit Post

The Reddit post that brought this story to public attention detailed the boss’s account and included the enigmatic photographs. The post read:

> “I was having a drink with my boss in his office today. I’m a conspiracy theorist, and he picks at me from time to time regarding some of the stuff I share with him. So he goes, ‘Did I ever tell you my UFO story?’ I was like, hahaha, okay, thanks for making fun of me. His face got serious, and he goes, ‘Listen to this story.’
>
> “Twenty or so years ago, I was driving in northern Michigan near Glen Harbor at 2:30 AM in the middle of nowhere, and all of a sudden, my entire car lit up. He described this insane light and shrieking noise that hurt his ears. He’s going on and on, and I’m waiting for him to laugh and be all like, ‘Gotcha.’ He had been taking pictures of Northern Michigan because photography is his hobby, so he had a camera on the passenger seat of his car. He said he got out, and this craft was hovering over him for what seemed like a very long time. He was afraid. Then he remembers he had his camera, so he took it out and said he took pictures. Still, I’m waiting for him to laugh. I gave him an okay look. Then he rolled his chair over to his file cabinet and started rustling around folders.
>
> “See the photos attached to this post. The hair stood up on the back of my neck and my arms. My jaw dropped.”

The North Michigan strange light phenomenon remains a captivating mystery. Whether a genuine UFO encounter or a fascinating case of Light Pillars, the story continues to spark curiosity and debate. The photographs, while not definitive proof of extraterrestrial activity, serve as a compelling piece of the puzzle, inviting further investigation and speculation.