 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Snowflakes and Symmetry

   March 11, 2021

    Snowflake on window 2 012721

   Photographer:  John Stetson
   Summary Author:  John Stetson

   This newly fallen,  dendritic snowflake was photographed when it
   landed on a pane of glass at my home on Sebago Lake, Maine. On
   extremely cold days, I often walk around outside looking for frost on
   windows, and each time it snows I also look for snowflakes like this
   one, which was captured on January 27, 2021.

   A  snow crystal’s six-sided symmetry always seems to get our
   attention. But why? Here is a quote from  Alan Lightman, the author
   of  Einstein's Dreams: "Why do we human beings delight in seeing
   perfectly round planets through the lens of a telescope and
    six-sided snowflakes in winter? ... I would claim that symmetry
   represents order and we crave order in this strange universe we find
   ourselves in. ... Symmetry is also economy. Symmetry is simplicity.
   Symmetry is elegance."
     * Sebago Lake, Maine Coordinates:  43.8537, -70.5621

Related EPODs

    Snowflakes and Symmetry  Cracks in the Ice on Utah Lake
    Archive - A Day at the Beach  Archive - Ice Coring on Lake
   Placid  Archive - Frozen Breath  Fascinating Ice Patterns
    More...

Cryosphere Links

     *  Guide to Frost
     *  What is the Cryosphere?
     *  Bentley Snow Crystals
     *  Glaciers of the World
     *  Ice, Snow, and Glaciers: The Water Cycle
     *  The National Snow and Ice Data Center Google Earth Images
     *  Snow and Ice Crystals

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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
