The Snow Show: Making Snowflakes with Neil deGrasse Tyson

How do you make snow? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn some cold, hard facts about snow and ice with atmospheric scientist and snowmaker Peter Veals, Ph.D. and glacial scientist Twila Moon, Ph.D.
How does snow even form? We learn about how the fluffy stuff falls from the sky and the many types of snow. Learn about deposition, sublimation, and the different freezing points of water- ever wondered why distilled water won’t become solid at freezing temperatures? We answer the age-old question: is every snowflake really unique?
We learn about how we humans make snow for ski slopes and events like the Olympics. Will we have to produce snow for the future Olympics? How does refrigeration work? Can you produce snow and leave a carbon-neutral footprint? What type of snow is best for skiing? We break down industrial snowmaking and Peter’s startup, Quantum Snow, where they grow their own snow crystals. Explore the snow situation for the Beijing Olympics. Will there be enough?
Next, we speak with Twila about glaciers and other icy environments in the cryosphere. What is a glacier? How have snowfall patterns changed? How fast do glaciers move? How are the cryosphere and our ~thermohaline circulation~ affected by climate change? Should we geoengineer solutions to our snow and ice problems? All that, plus, is it possible that Chuck can come up with more snow jokes?
Thanks to our Patrons Takeyla Tyson, Brad Respondek, Jacob D. Fisher, Thyash Maney, Kem Phillips, Chris Pisst, and J Maji for supporting us this week.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson
0:00 - Part 1 w/ Dr. Peter Veals
0:59 - How is Climate Change Impacting Snowfall?
3:58 - The Science of Snow
8:30 - What Accounts for Different Kinds of Snow?
11:21 - How is Snow Produced for Different Sporting Events?
14:11 - Is Every Snowflake Unique?
17:21 - Snow Shortages and Snow as a Commodity
22:37 - Can Snow Production be Climate-Friendly?
26:34 - What sets Quantum Snow apart?
31:45 - Will the Winter Olympics in Beijing require Artificial Snow?
32:57 - Are We Getting Less Snow on Average?
37:15 - Part 2 w/ Dr. Twila Moon
38:40 - What is the Cryosphere?
39:47 - What is a Glacier?
43:26 - Earth's Changing Climates
45:12 - The Changing Mass Balance of Greenland's Ice Sheets
46:07 - How Are Melting Glaciers Impacting Sea Levels?
49:26 - How Fast Do Glaciers Move?
51:24 - Can We Slow the Speed of Glacial Melting?
54:05 - Flooding of Coastal Cities
56:26 - How Can We Address Man-Made Climate Change?
58:33 - Closing Notes

[@StarTalk]

How much snowfall have you received in your corner of the globe this season?

[@pamellia]

Southeast Michigan, I think less than 10 inches!! What? We are getting an upcoming storm this week that should put us over 20.

[@angelayeh9129]

I’m in Texas so none BUT we did get it last year which is…not totally insane but close. My 5 year old keeps asking when is it going to snow again. I’m like, no, it doesn’t really snow here. He is confused.

[@dianathebird272]

Zero! Haha

[@ScutuRC]

My globe has no corners, yet I've got lots of snow... pretty typical for Canada :)

[@Jager-er4vc]

Chuck is HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!🤣🤣🤣 I know he’s a comedian. I get it. But he’s way smarter than he gets credit for.

[@texaspetersson8157]

To be a good comedian you have to be smart.

[@Conradd23]

He does an excellent job at playing dumb to get to the real questions!

[@Grimloxz]

@@Conradd23 YEAH!!! Wait, what??? LOLOLOL

[@Conradd23]

@@orilion1820 I mean I would say he's hit or miss.

[@CharlieLOL]

@@Conradd23 a lot of misses. I like the guy but he's not funny.

[@tristantknight]

I like Neil and Gary, but I get most excited waiting to see if Chuck is there.. anyone else feel this way?

[@popaandrei4422]

I allways hope to hear "MY HOST, CHUCK" ... I feel slightly disappointed when i don't hear that 🤣

[@afterdefect]

yep, more than I should

[@maqhecaco2319]

I love how everyone is a doctor, but Chuck is the one whos throwing all the best comments

[@raera1nb0wz24]

Neil, Chuck and their science friends make learning so much fun. I've learned more from Startalk then I did in school. Thank you all for keeping me curious; can't imagine how much kids nowadays can learn from this format. 🌨️❄️🌨️

[@gsav1320]

Same I’m currently in HS and I can perfectly remember stuff from star talk I saw two years ago but I couldn’t tell you anything from my current science class last quarter

[@PlagueDoctorscp049]

I know right, couldn’t stay this focused in school lmao too many distractions.

[@StarTalk]

Thank you for the kind support! Learning is important, no matter the avenue through which it happens, we just hope you can also have fun while you do it!

[@PlagueDoctorscp049]

@@StarTalk with you guys I sure enjoy every single episode

[@meshachlal9972]

Chuck was on fire on this episode 🔥🤣

[@patrickwalsh2361]

I’m 64 and I’ve lived in Denver my whole life. This year we’ve received (in Denver) a tiny fraction of the snow that I recall getting when I was growing up! It’s very disturbing.

[@unnamedchannel1237]

Maybe you are bigger than when you grew up. Kid: snow is knee deep there is lots of snow. Adult: there is not much snow when I was a kid it would come up to my knees . Take into account you are taller ?

[@petermayer9292]

Agree. In germany Maximum of 3 - 4 days of snow per winter. At least from 1993 to maybe 2005 I had to clean snow from the sidewalk for weeks. For the last 15 years just a few days of snow

[@tristantknight]

yeah, I think people who have lived in one place long enough and are aware of what's happening in the environment around them will more easily see the effects of climate change. for me it's not snow, but rather increasingly hot summers. i live in Olympia, WA and for years we have been hitting 90 several days a year, which seems to be increasing. at the end of June 2021, we shattered our all time record high, reaching 110 F. the old record was 104. by comparison our summer average is 82. I also do recall a recent winter where we hit 70 F in December. the changes, at least in my region, are very noticeable. anyone who denies climate change doesn't have their eyes open.

[@Notimportant666]

I'm in my 20s and even I have noticed a decrease of the frequency of snowfalls in winter, and I live in the Midwest with all 4 seasons. Sometimes it feels as if spring and fall are non-existent, it just rapidly changes from really hot late summer high 80's°F degree days that then drop 30 to 40 degrees within a week or two of transition time. I used to remember the seasons feeling way more distinctive in general to me

[@ericrobinson7184]

Same here in DC, I remember as a kid snow to my waste, blanketing up to the tops of cars, everybody grabbed their shovels going from door to door to make a dollar off the old people. Now, we get like 4 inches, takes me like 20 minutes to shovel my house, the neighbor's, and a few cars. Boy, I remember people shoveling all week long.

[@TheRabbitRonin]

Gary with all those great questions!

[@TrondBrgeKrokli]

Thank you for another entertaining and educational episode of StarTalk. Thanks especially to Chuck, who always manages to bring the funny surprises with his unexpected comments, be it thoughtful or just willfully silly. Thanks a lot for making this episode.

[@StarTalk]

Thank YOU for your support! :)

[@dunderwood4444]

Gary O'Reilly, Lord Nice, Dr. Tyson. Brooklyn NY loves StarTalk 💘

[@patrickwalsh2361]

Wait, has Chuck been knighted?

[@bigwill123ism]

@@patrickwalsh2361 knighted by a US general

[@dunderwood4444]

@@patrickwalsh2361 You meant to say when did Lord Nice receive his Lordship

[@TruckDrivinGamer]

If I remember correctly, the change in ocean salinity was referenced in the movie The Day After Tomorrow as part of the effects of climate change. Obviously, the movie was hyperbolic for the purposes of making a disaster movie, but it was interesting hearing her talking about this in our current climate situation, as a wakeup call!

[@TheBiggreenpig]

If they said that decline of salinity was "behind the climate change", it was wrong. It is the result of climate change, not the cause of it.

[@TruckDrivinGamer]

@@TheBiggreenpig ah yes, that's correct. I worded it poorly and will correct it. Thank you!

[@MrBonners]

Yes, I saw a short documentary about salty water changes around run off areas, shellfish die-off. Probably here on YT.

[@Nsturner09]

This is by far my favorite science show - I learned a lot this episode! Thanks guys.

[@kaseycroslin7206]

Love this guy, he is brilliant and has a great sense of humor!,🤗🤗

[@ryanearl6118]

This guy?? Which one?!?! They are all amazing!!

[@StarLight-wv3sd]

@@ryanearl6118 agreed

[@jetlife3173]

@@ryanearl6118 this guy=name of channel

[@ryanearl6118]

@@jetlife3173 so star talk?. That.. that is the name. They like the guy named startalk ...

[@kerrjohnmcmillan53]

When

[@williamlundbergh5683]

I hope Chuck has a gig after this segment cuz he is uproariously hilarious today!!!!!

[@williamburke1882]

I saw a show about glaciers where there were caves that went underneath and the ceiling was the under belly of the glacier. They used a bicycle wheel on a stick to measure how much it moved.

[@owengonzales4739]

13:49 delivery legendary tier. 🤣🤣

[@oldfatguy001]

important: run the water through a geothermal unit to heat the ski lodge while pre chilling the water for the snow. that way you heat your structure with the snow you make.

[@judyfrancis4515]

I have no idea if this could work, but it is the kind of thinking we need for our future.👏

[@thomaslane1547]

They were talking about making snow through deposition, so I have to figure they're boiling it first, but then it's got to go somewhere _real_ cold, so they should definitely use the heat they took from that chamber for the lodge. And the boiling.

[@Grimloxz]

@@judyfrancis4515 EXACTLY.

[@allensanders5535]

I grew up in north central Indiana (Kokomo) in the 60s&early70s and it was white from Dec.to Mar. now as of Jan.21 we have had less than 1" of snow this winter. most of that in 1 storm.

[@davidt3956]

It's not just the amount of snow. The discussion at the end of Peter's section about snowpack misses one thing about global warming. Eastern Washington is a heavy farming area that uses the snowmelt for growing. Regardless of the amount of the pack, it's now melting much faster because of global warming, causing drought conditions that are harming food production.

[@chris_johns]

Startalk has become such an obsession to me Neil is amazing (Bronx represent!) And Chuck is just hilarious and smart in his own, banter is so good never stop boys! Also props to Gary and the guest they always help us learn while going with the fun of the show

[@SpaceG95]

Dammit Chuck, you keep throwing me off with the intelligent comments 🤣

[@Chimeratech8]

2:15 If your snowman is black, you're living in a very polluted area LOL

[@wezingoma9751]

Finally another day of information 😂😎

[@agee1961]

Lord Chuck doing work all day! Killer questions and killer jokes 🤣

[@jeffreystanley7884]

Neil is a brilliant teacher. Love this man!

[@gottogo8675]

This man is an actor and knows that we do not live on a spinning ball

[@Tacitus_Kilgore1]

I lived in Whitehorse, Yukon from Aug 2000 until Feb 2019. On the day I arrived they were going through a deluge of rain over the entire summer. For those who don't know, the Yukon is considered a semi-arid climate, being much drier than humid. During my 19 years there all I ever heard about was how the climate was changing. As an East Coast Canadian I didn't find it hard to cope as much as those who were used to drier air. Now that I'm back on the east coast it is quite obvious the climate is changing. There is far less snow here now than there ever was when I was a kid. Much hotter summers, with the ocean humidity has become dangerous for those with medical issues, but the one thing I have noticed is flora and fauna migration. We're seeing more invasive plants and insects and that is a clear indicator something is out of balance.

[@AugustusGrimes]

First comment on a Startalk video. Absolutely fantastic, as always. Chuck is hilarious, the guests are always interesting and Neil is a great and intelligent host, such a funky sense of humor and a contagious laugh. Love the show guys great job.

[@wheresmary]

I love Neil, but for a min there, I thought Chuck wasn’t gonna be in the vid. Wouldn’t be the same without him. Dude’s actually pretty smart.

[@agrilifeacademy6897]

So much of joya watching this series ..Love And good health to you Neil and Chuck ❤️

[@doncramer6451]

An utterly fascinating StarTalk episode. Back in the mid 1960s, I participated in summertime scientific programs arranged by Dr. Vincent Schaefer of the State University of New York. He discovered cloud seeding technique years earlier by throwing dry ice into an open freezer which was full of fog -- which immediately condensed out as tiny ice crystals

[@StarTalk]

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Don!

[@dragonangel1786]

Neil, I was hoping that this frosty video would include the large methane bergs at the bottom of the ocean. We'll be in big trouble when those melt thanks to climate change. Could you address them at some point, please.

[@StarTalk]

Thanks for the suggestion! It's been noted.

[@edwhidden1518]

We have to make a social commitment to living a greener life. An example I of is the push we all made for smoking out doors. I loth that process, but it worked.

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

They have such a wonderful camaraderie together! And they do such a great job of communicating to us laypeople about science-related subjects. I really enjoy learning new stuff, and you guys almost always have something I don't know about, so that's amazingly cool! Thank you guys for what you do!

[@Amalgamotion]

I want to nominate Chuck And Neil for National Treasures.

[@FoxHound78]

Wow.. That was classic Chuck!!!

[@philipberthiaume2314]

We just got 40cm a couple of days ago and then it dropped to minus 30C last night and tonight, very cold. Winter is definitely here in Eastern Ontario...

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Thank you… Impressive episode, Neil, Chuck, Gary, and informative guests!!

[@davidt3956]

Wouldn't the fractal nature of flake growth say that the odds of identical flakes is tiny, but it is statistically possible?

[@popaandrei4422]

No, because is impossible for a snowflake to take the same path as another one, and also having the exact condition all the way on it's path, second by second. There is a video of Veritasium that explains exactly the way a snowflake take shape. Every second in the sky, it encounters a certain condition ( like wind, humidity, temp, pressure)

[@xXxtroublebehindxXx]

@@popaandrei4422 It is still statistically possible

[@qwazse4]

It’s the opposite. By definition fractals represent random variation that is so high as to render an element unique, but based on an underlying rule from which a pattern occurs. It’s not just snowflakes. No two cells in a head of cauliflower are the same on a microscopic level yet they grow together in a recognizable configuration. Fractals would be a great Explainer episode.

[@boon4ll]

Theeese guys are soooo open minded… thinking way further into the effects of things. Bless you guys and all your guests. Do try to watch every bit of startalk content! Love guys and gals!!! ;)

[@danieltovzav4295]

Hello world! Great talk!

[@DouglasRyan-ux9cj]

Perfect episode for today here in Denver Colorado! It’s January 8th, 2024! And snowing 🌨️

[@h7opolo]

i know my eco-conscientiousness has catalyzed immense change in contemporary vernacular, food markets, and ecosystems.

[@epbarrera]

Wow wow wow!! Loved this episode. So informative, interesting and funny 👏😃

[@XxTheAwokenOnexX]

Well done to whoever took the time to analyze every snowflake that ever fell to find out that every snowflake is unique. lolz Thankyou for another informative, and funny video StarTalk. Keep up the good work

[@HoldFastFilms]

May find this interesting - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6CVe5mjaJqLm6c

[@sicfxmusic]

@@HoldFastFilms no

[@ericrobinson7184]

Meanwhile, as Santa and his elves continue their secret work in the laboratory of snowflakes, we are told a new paper is about to be published in Science: 100 million years of Intelligent Design

[@juicydruc2755]

OMG!!!! What Neil says to chuck about his skiing advise 🤣🤣🤣😂 you guys are so hilarious and out of this world smart. I love this show always watching keep up the perfect gig!!!!

[@amccall88]

I can't with Chuck lol. Over here rolling in the first few minutes! But I never thought I'd be this fascinated by snow....I love this show

[@TJ-hs1qm]

Love how Dr. Tyson's fresh laundry makes a cameo in his show 💧💧💧

[@nickl2571]

Wow everyone is on fire in this episode. Love it!

[@willmpet]

I had a very good rafting experience on the Rio Grande when there was a heavy snowpack and it rained on top of it. The river was flowing much better than it had flowed in years.

[@jonathanryals9934]

Every snowflake is absolutely unique. Even if every molecule was in the relatively exact same position they are still composed of separate material.

[@michaelallen2501]

The cool running edition with Chuck talking bout skiing lol.

[@johndavidwolf4239]

I thought "Cool Running" was about bob-sleighing?

[@michaelallen2501]

@@johndavidwolf4239 yes. A winter Olympic sport, like skiing, where you stereotypically watched a team of white people from Canada or Sweden dominate.

[@dolfandon7124]

Ok Neil, geek confession and thank you for the exact answer! I had made my mind up that the finite size and multitude of snowflakes throughout history inherently debunked the "no two snowflakes are alike" mantra. Always great thought provoking content guys!

[@chrisgraham2904]

Every snowflake I've ever met certainly felt that they were 'unique' and 'special'.

[@TheNovaSpin]

13:45 neil killed it 😂

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thank you all for the great information, and the detail.

[@Synathidy]

I laughed so hard when Chuck suggested diverting flood water inland where the crazy people live. It's true. I've lived inland my whole life and am crazy.

[@lifehappenswithsarah8140]

I live in New Mexico and the area that I live in has not received any snow yet. I’m hoping we will get some but the weather staying in the mid 50’s and not dropping makes me sad.

[@knightish]

If Niel, Chuck and I were in college together they would make awesome study buddies and friends.

[@johndavidwolf4239]

An "Acre-Foot" is a unit for volume of water that is used in large scale water usage and would seem to me to be applicable in ski resort snowmaking.

[@Mlaprades]

I love this show! Thank you for all that you do! Fellas

[@TaterFarmer]

Black man skiing advice. Why not I love y’all. So glad I subbed a long time ago. NDT your awesome, Chuck is great too. I’m a white man with a multicultural group of friends. It makes me feel good see all y’all getting along. The worlds gone crazy lately.

[@TaterFarmer]

Sry, I spelled skiing wrong…

[@zack_120]

16:15 - Wow, that is why one can always learn some new science from Dr. Tyson.

[@gottogo8675]

Earth is flat and motionless

[@thebreadstick4131]

It's really cool it just snowed where I'm at when you guys uploaded it

[@TaterFarmer]

I left Michigan in late 2020. Moved to Arkansas. We’ve had record high snow fall the last 2 yrs.

[@samogufonianrockstar7510]

What can i say ..i simply love Startalk✨💙🙌

[@user-im6ms1me4y]

“YOUR CHOCOLATE SNOWMAAAAN” I’m wheezing!🤣 .....Ringtone material lol.

[@tmeyer2022]

What a hoot. Chuck, thanks for the skiing advice! Lmao . . . . . ! 😆😅🤣🤪

[@Jaychokshi007]

Don’t know about icy snowflakes, but the snowflakes I know are definitely unique. Each and everyone has different opinions!

[@terrybacon9945]

“The white ribbon of death” I had the same thought watching the ski contests in Beijing this past week...🙂

[@Rich_P_Anya]

This was a great episode all around.

[@donnydread7631]

Loved Twila Moon!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ICU2HI]

Best thing on KZbin Neil & Chuck!

[@hiteshchikate]

Great show. Great questions, but there were a couple of moments where Peter and Twila were interrupted and they couldn't finish their answers which I really wanted to hear. Thanks for doing this anyway.

[@BibliotecadeUrokhan]

I am a simple man, if I read snow, I will automatically know that many jokes will come from Chuck xd

[@lunar_trader]

In The polar exspress movie santas shop is actually set on ice. C: also fun fact my grand fathers steme engine was used to record the train whistle for the train which i think about every time i watch that movie :)

[@JohnDoe-jh5yr]

51:00 Chuck, the best way to learn metric is to use it in your daily life. Try switching your phone for a bit. Might need to switch it back and forth sometimes but you'll find yourself doing it less frequently as time goes on.

[@aungthuhein007]

Chuck is such an essential part of Star Talk! Love him!

[@malako777A]

19:00 compressed air sound

[@namelastname8D]

The laundry basket distracted me to the point where I haven't noticed the mic at the bottom of the screen. 🤣

[@NineAtoms1]

Love the fact that there's a laundry basket full of clothes behind Neil. No reason...

[@jeffkaylin892]

Lord Dark Knight sure has a lot of general knowledge. What a treat.

[@ruminator3570]

The world is ending Alaska's experiencing high temperatures Chuck is giving out science lessons and Neil is cracking jokes.

[@mikeontherock]

Very cool episode 😉

[@StrawberryKawaii858]

Been waiting for a startalk. ⏰ 💅 😌

[@Chris-op7yt]

yes, all snowflakes are unique. i checked them all. that says something btw. also, technically it's only a matter of how closely you want to look, when with enough detail, everything in this world is unique, even subatomic particles.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Who would have thought that Chuck was a secret member of the weather science underground? Thank you Neil, Gary and Lord Nice, Dr. Veals and Dr. Moon for a very informative session of Star Talk.

[@johndavidwolf4239]

The "Weather Underground" reminds me of the late sixties.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

@@johndavidwolf4239 That's why I added 'science.' Don't want anybody getting investigated.

[@johndavidwolf4239]

@@mattevans-koch9353 : Which is why I said "reminds"

[@colt45caliber]

Neil got one wrong. There are identical snow flakes. Not every hypothetical combination is plausible due to conditions needed to form. However, there are certain common conditions that most flakes formed under. And I saw another documentary where it was observed lol

[@hombreleon]

Chuck was on fire this episode 😂

[@lyndenferrao6478]

I used to live in Dubai and you guys are so right

[@MrNegative101]

Chuck is an affirmative action pick for sure

[@ziggy4465]

While I agree with Chuck, there are a lot of crazy people in Florida, don’t flood the inland areas. Nice people live there too and I’d like to be one of them.😁

[@edv9019]

What are the snow-making im/practicalities of spraying STEAM into the air instead of liquid water droplets? What are the environmental temp, pressure, etc variables that swing efficiencies, snow quality? 🤔

[@vj.joseph]

We should get them to start generating ice in the artic region quickly to account for the reduction of it there.

[@johnny1992black]

one tiny chain reaction to bring forth an unstoppable Blizzard.

[@Halo3Matalix]

taking in new information every day!

[@abstract_duck]

55:10 oh crap I have never tought of that ....

[@michaelappiah-kubi2829]

Amazing show

[@abhishekdb9800]

Hi, Great show, please keep going. My one request is that you please include the name of the guest in the title of the video. Best

[@terrybacon9945]

Ty!

[@gridmans5553]

Lets go bb, thanks Star Talk peoples!