Template:POTD protected/2007-02-28
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The first of a magnification series of a snow crystal (view the entire series) using a low temperature scanning electron microscope with magnification up to 100,000X, compared to 30X – 500X available with light microscopes. Snow samples are very fragile and exposure to the light necessary to photograph them, using light microscopes, can damage the crystals and even melt them. A low temperature SEM operating at -170°C avoids disturbing the structure. Photo credit: Agricultural Research Service; brian0918 |