Wrong Snowflakes.

What's Wrong With This Snowflake?

Christmas is coming up, and I am sure many countries, especially western countries, are already getting prepared to celebrate. We may see decorations and Christmas cards everywhere, and maybe full of snowflakes too. However, it is said that the snowflakes are incorrect. Chemist Thomas Koop points out that scientifically, pentagonal and octagonal snowflakes are impossible. Normally a snowflake would be hexagonal, or rarely dodecagonal, due to the molecular structures of water molecules--they can fit together only in a certain way.

Calling the incorrect snowflakes as corruption of the beauty of ice crystals or scientific abominations is too much, though. In those holiday decorations and greeting cards, it is all about the holiday spirit, not the science. People celebrate the holiday because it has been their long-time tradition when families gather and enjoy their time together. Christmas isn't meant to celebrate science. However I cannot pick on Mr. Koop too much since he has been modest gentleman and stayed tolerant about this.

Also, as in what the article mentions, a website of a science magazine had advertisements which had incorrect snowflakes. In this situation I would let Koop pick on them as much as he would like to, since it is a SCIENCETIFIC magazine, and the editors or admins should know the correct scientific knowledge. Or even basic molecular science.
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