Snow Crystal Symmetry

Scanning Electron Microscope Operator: Eric Erbe
Summary Authors: Bill Wergin; Jim Foster
The above images show the extraordinary symmetry of snow crystals even at high magnification. At top is a single stellar snow crystal with sector-like extensions that’s been magnified approximately 100 times (100X) using a Scanning Electron Microscope. One arm has been broken off during descent through the lower atmosphere. The second image shows a higher magnification view of two lower arms of the same snow crystal, and the third image shows the bottom-most arm now magnified over 900X. Note that the parallel groove and pit structures still exhibit a high degree of symmetry even at nearly 2,000X (bottom image). Images taken at the Scanning Electron Microscopy Lab of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland.

• Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Maryland Coordinates: 39.037500, -76.874636
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