Images Dated 25th February 2004

Particle tracks

Subatomic particle tracks. Coloured bubble chamber photograph showing tracks left by subatomic particles from a particle accelerator at CERN, the European particle physics laboratory at Geneva. A bubble chamber is a container filled with liquid hydrogen which is superheated - momentarily raised above its normal boiling point by a sudden drop in pressure in the container. Any charged particle passing through the liquid in this state leaves behind a trail of tiny bubbles as the liquid boils in its wake. The bubbles are seen as fine tracks, which show the characteristic paths of different types of particle and which are curved due to an intense applied magnetic field

© PATRICE LOIEZ, CERN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Europe, Netherlands, Amsterdam Koninklijk Palace (Royal Palace), originally built

Europe, Netherlands, Amsterdam Koninklijk Palace (Royal Palace), originally built as the city hall

© Dave Bartruff / Danita Delimont, Agent

Amsterdam, Architectural Ornament, Architecture, City Hall, Clock, Clock Tower, Danita Delimont, Dave Bartruff, Décor, Europe, Facade, Holland, Koninklijk, Koninklijk Palace, Landmark, Netherlands, Palace, Relief, Royal, Tour, Tourist Attraction, Tower

Northern elephant seals

Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) basking on a beach. During the breeding season, male elephant seals (centre) fight to control a territory, which gives them access to females. Males have an inflatable proboscis on their heads and are larger than the females. A dominant male may possess a harem numbering up to 40 females by the end of the season. Northern elephant seals are found in the North-East Pacific Ocean. They feed on fish and squid, often diving very deep in order to find their prey. Photographed in Big Sur, California, USA

© DICCON ALEXANDER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY