Snowflakes All Fall In One of 35 Different Shapes

The stunning diversity of snowflakes gives rise to the idea that every single one is unique. While "no two flakes alike" might be an attractive metaphor, it isn’t entirely true. Yet that doesn’t stop us from peering at the intricate crystal structures caught on our mittens. It also doesn’t stop researchers from painstakingly cataloguing each and every type of crystal that might form. Thanks to their work, chemistry teacher Andy Brunning, who keeps the graphics and chemistry blog Compound Interest, has created a fascinating graphic that shows 39 kinds of solid precipitation, including 35 that are snow crystals or flakes.