Mathematics
Fractals and the Concept of Self-Similarity in Geometry
Quick fact
A snowflake's intricate structure is a fractal: its arms branch in a self-similar pattern, and the detail at the microscopic level resembles the shape at the macroscopic level.
Why this is interesting
You may have seen a Romanesco broccoli, whose spiraling pattern repeats endlessly on smaller scales—but have you ever wondered how nature builds something that looks the same from zoomed-out to zoomed-in?