Images Dated 20th June 2003

Nerve cell, SEM

Nerve cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neuron (nerve cell). The cell body is the central structure with neurites (long and thin structures) radiating outwards from it. A neurite is a general term used for processes connecting nerve cells together to form a network of nervous tissue. They can be either receiving (dendrites) or transmitting (axons) nerve impulses. When grown in culture, as here, it is difficult to tell axons and dendrites apart. Neurons allow information to be received, interpreted and relayed around the body. Research into curing spinal paralysis uses nerve tissue cultures to investigate neural regeneration. Magnification unknown

© STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Diagram of the Soviet Luna-1 spacecraft

Diagram of the Soviet Luna-1 spacecraft, which became the first artificial "planet" to orbit the Sun following its launch on January 2nd, 1959. Luna-1 was the first of a series of Soviet lunar probes. It passed the Moon at a distance of 6400 kilometres 34 hours after launch & then entered a solar orbit situated between the orbits of Mars & Earth, with a period of 450 days. The spacecraft also created the first artificial "comet" when it ejected a quantity of sodium on January 3, 1959, which could be observed from Earth for several minutes using special filters allowing sodium's characteristic yellow colour to pass. Luna-1 was also known as Meishcha, meaning dream

© RIA NOVOSTI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Damage to the car of Bernd Schneider (GER), Vodafone AMG-Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM

Damage to the car of Bernd Schneider (GER), Vodafone AMG-Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM, after an incident in the pits. DTM Championship, Rd 5, Norisring, Germany. 20 June 2003. DIGITAL IMAGE

© Sutton Motorsport Images