I was also amazed by the huge light all the way at the top.
How did they do that? Does light all gather at the top? Clearly I am not an electrical wiz but it was awesome to see live.
There was a foggy cloud overcast at high altitude, the lights diffused when they hit it.
As for the colors of the empire satate building, that was the color they were on the evening of 4-13-2002 when these shots were taken. Don't know about other days. I didn't pay much attention.