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December 22, 2003   The First Day of Winter    

What Color Is Snow?

Believe it or not, snow is actually colorless. Snow appears white because it reflects all wavelengths of light equally. Because snow is composed of many small crystals, it acts as a prism and breaks light into its component wavelengths that together appear white, but individually appear as specific colors. So watch for sheens and rainbow-like reflections on the snow that demonstrate this phenomenon. Also, as light penetrates snow to different depths, certain wavelengths can be better absorbed and the snow will appear tinted, often bluish because it absorbs red and reflects blue light.

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it's queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.


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