The phenomenon has been known for a long time.
An old description of the phenomenon can be found here:
SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Title: Sur les rayons lumineux divergents
Authors: Mascart, J.
Journal: Bulletin de l’Observatoire de Lyon, vol. 9, pp.151-155
Bibliographic Code: 1927BuLyo…9..151M
Since light pollution has erased the stars from the sky above my city, I now study atmospheric phenomena at twilight. I would appreciate some photographs of the sky at sunset or sunrise taken from your residence. If you want, please contact me at this address.
Greetings
Giovanni
L’Aquila city (Italy)