Field Guide to Snowflakes by Kenneth Libbrecht

by Kenneth Libbrecht

This pocket-size field guide to snowflakes is perfect for science- and weather-loving readers who are curious about these beautiful ice crystals.

Snowflakes begin as water vapor in the air. Just add a pinch of dust, an icy-cold temperature and, like magic, you've got a delicate, crystalline snowflake.

In this pocket-size guide to the secret world of snowflakes, you'll learn the science behind these one-of-a-kind natural masterpieces. The book's pages contain stunning microphotography, descriptions of common snowflake types, and information about snowflakes' complex structures and patterns.

The next time the forecast calls for snow, you can grab this snowflake field guide and explore the natural beauty of snowflakes as they fall around you. Thanks to this book, you'll predict when the most beautiful crystals are likely to fall, and you'll know how you can best observe and photograph them.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Reference

Paperback

Published January 1, 1793

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delightful surprise, as it appeared unexpectedly in a parcel from a friend. Taxonomies and snowflakes are two things I absolutely love, so the combination was of course wonderful. The author, Kenneth Libbrecht, is both a physics professor and an endearing enthusiast of snowflake photography. His images illustrate the book beautifully and mark him as a worthy successor to Wilson ‘Snowflake’ Bentley. (I highly recommend Bentley’s Snowflakes in Photographs, a stunning catalogue of snowflake formations.) Libbrecht explains how snowflakes form and what their differing shapes tell us about the conditions they experienced while falling from the sky. He encourages the reader to carry a small magnifier for the purposes of snowflake spotting, which I admit I’m very tempted to do. It doesn’t snow in Edinburgh as much as I’d hoped, but we did have some a few weeks back. I can only hope for another Beast From The East come March. Apparently the largest and most complicated snowflakes can be found at about -15°C. I was very pleased to learn this and many more snowflake facts from such an enthusiastic, informative, and well-illustrated field guide. When snow is next forecast, I’ll put it in my bag so as to be prepared.

[Comfort Me With Nature · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the definitive guide to snowflakes. Here you will discover insights into the importance of temperature and humidity and their impact on supersaturation and crystal morphology. You’ll learn about the surfaces or facets of the crystals. You will be introduced to the “capped column” and the “fernlike stellar dendrite,” among many others.

To read more about my thoughts on this book and see other fun facts about snowflakes, visit my website at www.comfortmewithnature.com.

Thanks for reading.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, easily understandable guide by a sincere enthusiast.

[Les Gehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book including directions on how to make photographs like those in the book. Highly recommended!

[Marie Henriksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for everyone fascinated by snowflakes.

[Juli Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unusual and necessary guidebook.