Hi Deep Look and KQED Science Fans, They say no two snowflakes are exactly alike, but physics professor Kenneth Libbrecht has figured out a way to break that rule by growing his own identical snowflakes. In our video we show how he’s able to shape the snowflakes from scratch using a special chamber in his lab at the California Institute of Technology, in Pasadena. Plus, you’ll learn how snowflakes grow in clouds and why they have six-sided symmetry. We wish you all happy holidays and a wonderful winter!
Josh Cassidy, Deep Look lead producer and cinematographer
☁️Snowflakes begin as water vapor high up in the clouds. 🥶When the temperature in the clouds cools, the water molecules slow down and stick to one another. ❄️The core structure of a snowflake is a hexagon, which has six-pointed symmetry. 🌎Outside, the temperature, humidity and air pressure are constantly changing, so each snowflake is shaped by its individual journey down to the earth. 🥼Identical snowflakes only grow when they’re exposed to the same conditions, like temperature, humidity and airflow, in a lab. ***** 👉Find out more about Professor Kenneth Libbrecht’s snow crystals research here.
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Name That Critter!
This carnivorous predator is one of the most beloved, cute and recognizable insects in the world. But in its youth, it is quite ferocious looking. What’s the name of this insect? Find the answer at the bottom of this newsletter.
DEEP PLAYLIST
Wild Winter Holidays
Enjoy this special winter playlist of videos from our archives, and cozy up with friends and family to watch some glowing, dancing and other extraordinary wildlife behavior.
We hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter. Thank you for subscribing! We’ll be taking a winter break. We’ll be back in your inbox on Friday, Jan. 10. Until then…✨Happy Holidays and Happy New Year✨ KQED’s Deep Look and ScienceTeams!
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Ladybug! Ladybugs may be the cutest insects around, but they don't start off that way. They pop out of their eggs as prickly mini monsters with an insatiable hunger for aphids. Find out more in our video:Watch Ladybugs Go From Goth to Glam. Also, every winter, ladybugs assemble in big groups to hibernate and find a mate. In the Bay Area, one of the best places to view ladybug aggregations is Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland.
