Archives for: "Feb 22 2022"

Snow Crystal Variety and the Bentley Length Scale in Clouds

February 22nd, 2022
[This is the fourth of the re-posted articles, from 2009.] “… by means of these wonderfully delicate and exquisite figures, much may be learned of the history of each crystal and the changes through which it has passed in its journey through cloudland.”… more »

Parting and Bending of Hair Ice

February 22nd, 2022
Hair ice often shows a clear "parting". By part, I refer to that line along the underlying log surface, either side of which the hair tilts further to the side, analogous to the part one makes in one's own hair with a comb. An explanation for the cause… more »

The Jericho Farmer and the Electric Crystals

February 22nd, 2022
[This is the third of the re-posted articles, from 2008.] For most of his life, and while not attending to farm duties, Wilson A. Bentley was captivated by the beauty of snow crystals. Perhaps then it should not be too surprising that he pondered the… more »

Musings on Bentley’s ‘no two alike’

February 22nd, 2022
[This is the second of the re-posted articles, from 2007.] Wilson Bentley is famous for his phrase ’no two alike’, but what did he really mean by it? Excerpts in Duncan Blanchard’s book suggest that Bentley was usually referring to only the crystals he… more »