The Artistry of Nature Revealed in the Snowflake
Snow is a phenomenon for those of us that live in the south. It is rare and sends residents into a full-fledged frenzy. All that needs to be said by the meteorologist is the four-letter word…snow. Everybody will burst with excitement, flock to the nearest grocery store and clear the shelves of basic necessities. It is actually funny and sad, but something to seriously consider if you move to the south and there is a “snowstorm” in the forecast. Folks from the northeast cackle with laughter and make jokes about us until they start sliding down the hills and get stuck in the ditch.
During our last “snowstorm” of 8 inches while the whole state seemed to be closed, it provided a great opportunity to sit by the fireplace and be creative. It proved to be a great time to learn more about snowflakes. They are more beautiful and intricate than I had imagined. Be intrigued with the facts below.
Fun Facts about Snowflakes
Snowflakes start as tiny ice crystals that form from water vapor that freezes in the air.
The number of ice crystals that connect will determine the size of a snowflake.
Water vapor in the cloud assembles on the ice particle, causing it to stretch into a basic hexagonal prism, and then shoots multiple branches to create a complex design. Once this happens the flakes become even more unique.
The temperature and dampness in the cloud will affect the shape of each snowflake.
Each snowflake is made up of about 200 ice crystals.
Snowflakes always have a hexagonal symmetry.
Snowflakes can be categorized into six main types, plate (flat), column, stars, dendrite, lacy, needle, and capped column.
Snow is clear, not white, but appears white because of the reflection of light on the ice crystals so when the snow glistens like diamonds it is the reflection of light on ice.
Snowflakes become larger and more complex in design when the temperature is near to the freezing point.
A snow crystal contains million billion water molecules which can arrange themselves in an infinite number of ways, making it nearly impossible for any two snowflakes to look alike.
Watermelon snow is snow with algae growing on it, it is a reddish color and found in the Canadian Rockies.
The largest snowflake, according to the Guinness World Records, was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick. It was recorded by Matt Coleman at Fort Keogh, Montana on January 28, 1887.
Billions of snowflakes fall in every snowstorm.
Who Was Snowflake Bentley?
Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley
Finally, there is Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the father of snowflake photography. He gave the world its first ever photograph of a snowflake. Bentley was a farmer from the small town of Jericho, Vermont. Seeing snowflakes as small miracles, he captured over 5000 snowflakes on film from 1885 until his death in 1931. Many would come to know him as The Snowflake Man or Snowflake Bentley though he rarely left Jericho.
At the age of 15, Bentley’s parents gave him a microscope. He became obsessed with examining the natural forces of the world. Bentley was not a trained scientist, or photographer for that matter, but admired the wonders of nature. He would spend hours and hours studying clouds and frost, yet nothing captured the public imagination like the snowflake photographs.
Professional scientists were dismissive of his research and his fascination with snowflakes was sometimes misunderstood. However, his perseverance with photographing snowflakes confirmed that no two snowflakes are alike, and that each one is unique and beautiful. His passion for the wonders of nature displayed in the snowflake gave him the 1999 Caldecott Medal. He became a popular man from the small town of Jericho, Vermont and is still renowned across the world today. A museum, a historical society and entire product line have been created all from one man’s fascination with snowflakes. Enjoy more of his story at www.snowflakebentley.com.
“Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost”, quoted from Bentley in a 1925 report…and this is where the belief started that no two snowflakes are alike.
Footnotes: Thefactsite.com; howtomakescienceprojectsforkids.com; nsidc.org