2010 Gallery

Particle physics research

Particle physics research. Screenshot of particle tracks as recorded by a detector at a particle accelerator. Particles such as protons are accelerated to near the speed of light to collide with other particles or a stationary target. The resulting release of energy leads to the creation of new particles, increasing our understanding of the fundamental nature of the universe. This research, related to the Large Hadron Collider, is being presented at a seminar at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, in Dubna, in Russia's Moscow region. Photographed in March 2010.

© RIA NOVOSTI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Volcanic lightning, Iceland, April 2010

Volcanic lightning. Time-exposure image of lightning in and around a large ash column produced during the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruptions. Volcanic lightning is the release of electric charge that builds up as rising ash mixes with the atmosphere. The activity under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier started in March, with a major eruption taking place on 14 April, sending ash high into the atmosphere. Carried by the wind, this ash led to the closure of large parts of European airspace for several days. This is a relatively long time-exposure image, taken on 18 April 2010.

© OLIVIER VANDEGINSTE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Orbiting Carbon Observatory, artwork

Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) in Earth orbit, artwork. A NASA mission, the OCO was designed to make global measurements of levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, helping to improve studies on global warming and other aspects of climate change. The OCO was launched on a Taurus XL rocket on 24 February 2010 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA. The faring failed to separate properly, and the satellite was lost. A Mishap Investigation Board is being convened to determine the cause of the failure.

© NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY