Zhang Chao, an enthusiastic admirer of snowflakes, spends his spare time delving into their intricate beauty through a microscope. Working at the National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC), his fascination with snowflakes began in 2005 when he started photographing them.
By 2007, Zhang enhanced his hobby by using a microscope to capture the delicate structures of snowflakes. “I just want to collect different kinds of snowflakes,” he shared. Over the years, he has photographed more than 80 types out of the 121 known varieties, including the rare colored snowflakes.
Zhang believes that snowflakes exhibit a unique beauty at the microscopic level, combining high consistency with randomness. This blend of order and unpredictability fuels his passion. He is committed to continuing his exploration, uncovering the hidden wonders of these tiny ice crystals.
