Fernlike Snow Crystal
December 25, 2022
Photographer: Wilson Bentley
Summary Author: Jim Foster
The lacy crystal shown above, as well as hundreds of other snow crystals, were first photographed by Wilson Alwyn Bentley (1865-1931). These photomicrographs are housed at the Bentley Snow Crystal Collection in the Schwerdtfeger Library, at the University of Wisconsin. According to the Lee/Magano system, this lovely specimen is classified as a fernlike dendrite snow crystal (P2e). Snow crystals are six-sided because the water molecules that form them are characteristically arranged in layers of hexagonal rings. This results in their stunning six-fold symmetry.
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Wishing you Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Healthy 2023,
Erin Senoz, Jim Foster