Physicist’s photos make it to postage stamps
Physicist Kenneth Libbrecht’s snowflake
images have gotten stuck–on a stamp. Last week the United States Postal
Service issued four new 39-cent commemorative postage stamps based on
Libbrecht’s high-resolution microscope images of snowflakes.
Physicist Kenneth Libbrecht’s snowflake images have gotten stuck–on a stamp. Last week the United States Postal Service issued four new 39-cent commemorative postage stamps based on Libbrecht’s high-resolution microscope images of snowflakes.
According to Libbrecht, there are 35 different types of snowflake crystals, but the stamps feature two specific types: stellar dendrite snowflake crystals (upper left, upper right, and lower right stamps), which are plate-like and have branches. These are the most popular snow crystal type. The other stamp is a sectored plate snowflake crystal (lower left stamp) that has broad branches with prominent, distinctive ridges.
Collecting the fragile snowflake crystals to photograph is a delicate business. After gathering the crystals, Libbrecht uses a small paintbrush to carefully transfer the snowflake crystals onto a glass slide. Then he captures the images using a digital camera attached to a high-resolution microscope. In order to keep the snowflake crystals from melting, Libbrecht does most of his work outside. “The crystals evaporate away slowly under the lights of my microscope, but it usually takes several minutes before the crystal changes significantly,” says Libbrecht.
When you have time, take a look at Dr. Libbrecht’s Snowflakes and Snow Crystals website.
Posted: Mon - October 16, 2006 at 08:44 AM