What Does This Mayan Light Beam Mean?

Hector Siliezar and his family visited the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza in 2009. While touring he snapped three photos on his iPhone of El Castillo, a pyramid that once served as a Mayan sacred temple. Siliezar was trying to capture lightning crackling from a thunderstorm that was forming in the distance over the ruins.

In one of his photos a powerful beam of light appears to shoot up from the pyramid toward the heavens, while lightning flashes in the distance.

Siliezar, who recently shared his photographs with Earthfiles.com telling them that he and his family didn't see the light beam in person; it appeared only on camera.

Was this mysterious beam of light a sign from the gods — a warning about the end of time (Dec. 21, 2012, marks the end of the Mayan calendar cycle)...or is it simply an iPhone glitch?

(From Life's Little Mysteries)