Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/07/2012 - 13:47
Forums
Ecosystem Study of the Chukchi Shoal

HI my name is Nick Lodovico from St. Mark School. I am going into the 7th grade and i was wondering what are ice hoars, and are they used for anything.
Thank you, and have fun: Nick

Thu, 08/09/2012 - 13:09

Deanna Wheeler

Hi Nick--
I asked around about hoar frost and I was told that a group of researchers in Antarctica was growing crystals to study. As you know, crystals are very important in many electronical devices.
From an online resource:
Hoar frost: A deposit of patterned (‘feathers’, ‘needles’, ‘spines’, etc.) ice crystals on surfaces chilled by radiation cooling. The feature is seen particularly well on vegetation. The ice is derived from the sublimation of water vapour on surfaces, as well as from frozen dew.
Hoar frost are objects are beauty!! A photographers dream. I hope you see some some day.
Thanks for the question.
Ms. Wheeler