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When Zhang Chao isn’t peering at stars through telescopes at China’s National Astronomical Observatories, he’s chasing a different kind of magic: snowflakes. His microscope reveals a hidden universe where no two frozen crystals are alike – and he’s on a mission to photograph as many of their 121 known types as possible.
Snowflakes: More Than Just Winter Vibes
\"Think of each snowflake as a diary,\" Zhang says. \"Every bump, curve, or branch tells the story of its journey through the clouds.\" Since 2005, he’s snapped over 80 types – from delicate needles to hexagonal prisms – proving that snow is anything but basic.
Science Meets Art in Freezing Temperatures
Capturing these icy artworks isn’t as simple as whipping out a phone camera. Zhang battles the clock : pre-chilling homemade gear for 20 minutes, sprinting outside during perfect snowfall, and snapping shots before meltdowns (literal ones). His secret weapon? Combining astronomy-grade precision with a poet’s eye for detail.
Why 121 Types?
Snowflake shapes depend on temperature and humidity – nature’s mood ring! While classic \"fern-like\" dendrites get all the Instagram love, rarer types like hollow columns or triangular crystals might only appear once in a lifetime. Zhang’s collection? A frozen time capsule of atmospheric magic.
Cover image credits: Liu Shaozhen, Li Yueyun, Gao Peng, Liu Wenxuan, Zhao Ying
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
His microscope reveals a hidden universe where no two frozen crystals are alike – and he’s on a mission to photograph as many of their 121 known types as possible.
: pre-chilling homemade gear for 20 minutes, sprinting outside during perfect snowfall, and snapping shots before meltdowns (literal ones). His secret weapon? Combining astronomy-grade precision with a poet’s eye for detail.
While classic \"fern-like\" dendrites get all the Instagram love, rarer types like hollow columns or triangular crystals might only appear once in a lifetime. Zhang’s collection? A frozen time capsule of atmospheric magic.
