Snowflakes – close-up pictures and little-known facts

All snow crystals are translucent. As the light is reflected in different directions by many sides of a snowflake, snow usually appears white to us.

All snowflakes have six ams or dendritic structure. When it comes to the form, the air temperature is the main factor. Needle-like crystals appear at about -2 C (28 F), while plate-like snowflakes are more likely to be formed at -5 C (23 F). The final form also depends on humidity.

Technically, snow can qualify as a mineral: it's naturally occurring, it's a single material, it's formed inorganically and it has an ordered structure.

Do you know what photographer captured over 5,000 images of snowflakes in his lifetime?

Main shapes are:

• needle;
• rime;
• plate;
• column.

Other, more complicated combinations, are based on them.

Try to pass this fun trivia quiz on science if you like learning new things about the world!

In 1887, it was found in the state of Montana.

In fact, it's hard to say if the phrase "every snowflake is unique" is true or false: snowflakes that look the same can exist, but they will still have differences at the molecular level.