A snowflake
© Don Komarechka/Science Photo Library
A snowflake
It turns out the old notion that each snowflake is unique is probably true (although it seems to us that it’d be awfully hard to confirm). Even so, the scientists who study snowflakes can put them into categories, based on the general shapes they form. This is an example of a stellar dendrite, so-called for its star shape and dendritic, or tree-like, branches. To create our photo, 38 separate images were aligned to convey the detail of each layer within the flake, which was less than a quarter-inch wide.
Related Images
Leopard snoozing in a tree in Namibia for National Napping Day
A Komondor competes in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City
Gray wolf with flock of ravens in Finland
Lake Dobson in Mount Field National Park of Tasmania
Grapes on the vine in Mendoza, Argentina, for the National Grape Harvest Festival
Black-crested titmouse in Texas Hill Country
Circular agricultural fields in Morgan County, Colorado
Meditation domes at the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh, India
Bing Today Images
Temple of the Sun, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Dec 18, 2025
English National Ballet performing 'The Nutcracker'
Dec 18, 2024
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Dec 18, 2023
South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida
Dec 18, 2022
The December full moon seen through holiday lights
Dec 18, 2021
