The above image is not a wave function probability density for a hydrogen atom orbital, seen in cross-section. (Good guess, though.)

Rather, it’s a snowflake. Well, sort of.

See, notwithstanding the fact that no two snowflakes are alike, this is a snowflake comparable to no other. This is a snowflake fashioned from artistically arranged Bridgestone tires. Perhaps not coincidentally, it is also the Grand Prize winner in the 2008 Bridgestone Photo Contest, announced today.

The annual contest, founded by Bridgestone Canada Inc. in 2002, challenges Canadian college and university students to design unique imagery that evokes community, environment and safety (and, presumably, Bridgestone tires). For the 2008 contest, a record 290 students entered, and almost $40,000 in prize money was awarded.

Here’s the full version of the the admittedly stellar entry by winner Lisa Beaton (Algonquin College, Ottawa):

And here’s the also excellent runner-up, by Élise Bouchard (Cégep de Matane):

Wheelie good art. Wheelie!