From Cloud to Crystallization: The Science of Snowflake Formation

Surprisingly, the magic of snowflakes often begins with dust in the air. All it takes is for a cold drop of water to freeze on one of these particles, creating an ice crystal. Because every crystal takes a unique journey through the atmosphere, no two snowflakes are alike. ___ A little more information: As an ice crystal begins to grow, temperature and humidity affect its shape. Slight changes in these conditions—sometimes within fractions of a second—cause the crystal to shift direction, split, or stretch, creating the intricate six-sided structures we see in the sky. The study of snowflake science was transformed by Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, a Vermont farmer who, in 1885, became the first person to photograph ice crystals. Using a bellows camera attached to a microscope, Bentley captured more than 5,000 flakes during his lifetime. He later donated 500 prints to the Smithsonian collection: https://www.si.edu/spotlight/snow-crystals. Bentley’s images revealed the astonishing complexity of ice crystals and helped scientists understand how temperature affects their many shapes—up to 35! Some of these patterns include plates, needles, columns, and dendrites. Today, scientists continue to explore the physics behind snowflake formation with high-speed cameras, cloud chambers and computer models. As for Bentley’s photographs? Their delicate beauty remains an iconic symbol of winter. #snowflakes #science #winter #nature #ice #snow #sciencefacts #weather Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@SmithsonianMagazine Find out more about the science of snowflakes – and why they all fall in one of 35 different shapes: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/snowflakes-all-fall-one-35-different-shapes-180953760/ Learn more about the man who revealed the hidden structure of falling snowflakes: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-man-who-revealed-hidden-structure-falling-snowflakes-106274664/ Photographer and scientist Nathan Myhrvold has developed a camera that captures snowflakes at a microscopic level never seen before: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/these-are-highest-resolution-photos-ever-taken-snowflakes-180976710/ For more videos from Smithsonian magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/original-series/ Executive Producers: Nicki Marko & Brian Wolly Supervising Producer: Michelle Mehrtens Scriptwriters: Carlyn Kranking & Michelle Mehrtens Video Editor: Leland James / Studio Koa Narrator: Adam Benavides