A Disciplined Approach
Kenneth G Libbrecht is Professor of Physics and Chairman of the Physics Dept. of California Institute of Technology (CALTEC).
His professional interests include the Physics of Crystal Growth and Pattern Formation in Ice - an important project which has produced these astonishing images.
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Winter & Ski Home
Tradition & Nature
All About Snowflakes
We discovered the work of Professor Kenneth Libbrecht, who has produced many truly astonishing images of snowflakes and crystals as part of his studies in Crystal Growth and Pattern Formation in Ice at the California Institute of Technology.
Snowflakes - or more accurately ‘snow crystals’ - are nothing less than microscopic miracles of nature. It's a frequently-quoted truism that no two are identical, not that it really matters; the important thing is that everything becomes even more interesting when several crystals get together and decide to form flakes. Where would we ski without them?
A flake is born
Snow crystals are created when the minute water droplets which form clouds begin to condense and freeze magically into a symmetrical crystalline form derived from our old friend H2O. Inevitably, the minuscule new-born crystals get tossed around on the currents of air around them, picking up more freezing moisture which adheres to extend the initial crystal outwards. Gradually they form the familiar classic six-pointed outlines, in a more or less symmetrical pattern.
Click here for an introduction to artificial snow-making.
Turning pale
Like most crystalline substances (including everyday household items such as sugar and salt, etc.) individual frozen water droplets are actually almost completely transparent. Their surfaces do reflect light, however, and as more of them come together so they reflect more and more light, to the point where eventually they appear white. Of course, as every trained artist knows, every single surface reflects the colours of its surroundings to some extent, which is why there are in fact no true whites or blacks in nature. And snow is no exception – not that you'd know it, as our eyes are able to adjust for subtle colout shifts.
Not frozen rain, then?
It's an appealingly simplistic thought, but the truth is that when a cloud produces raindrops which then freeze on their freefall down to earth, the result is much less interesting: sleet or hail-stones, depending on the atmospheric conditions at the time. Unsurprisingly, there’s no shortcut to something as complex as a perfect snowflake. 
We wish to thank Kenneth G Libbrecht for kind permission to reproduce examples of his remarkable snow crystal images. You can see many more, along with all you've ever wanted to know about the not-so-humble snowflake at: www.snowcrystals.com
© Roger Moss
Taking Great Pictures
in the Snow
MountainPassions photographer Roger Moss gives an introduction on how to start taking better pictures in the mountains including how to deal with snow conditions and the best way to carry your camera gear on the move.
Climate Change
and Winter Sports
Freelance author, ski instructor and environmental scientist Ben Birt discusses the future of winter sports under the influence of climate change.
