Johannes Kepler's 1610 book 'On the Six-Cornered Snowflake' demonstrates insight into the relationship between observed symmetry in nature and underlying building blocks, foreshadowing modern understanding that the six-fold symmetry of snowflakes arises from the geometry of the water molecule (H₂O) and the way electrons are arranged around oxygen and hydrogen atoms.

factualpending

Speaker

Brian Cox

Evidence Quote

“he essentially says that it must be something to do with the building blocks. There must be some underlying reason why nature has this symmetry...We now know it's to do with the water molecule”

Source

Brian Cox: The quantum roots of reality | Full Interview— Big Think
Created: 8/11/2026, 7:24:53 AM

My Notes

Loading notes...