Images Dated 13th March 2003

Hover fly, SEM

Hover fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head and upper body of a hover fly (family Syrphidae) seen from the side. The large compound eyes (red, one seen) dominate the head. Two short antennae protrude at right of the eyes, sensing smell and touch. The hover fly feeds on nectar and pollen, which it sucks through modified mouthparts (lower right, behind leg). Several of the hover fly's six legs are seen, attached to its thorax (centre left). Magnification unknown

© SUSUMU NISHINAGA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

DNA research

DNA research. DNA autoradiogram used for finding the base sequence of a segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA is the molecule that controls the growth and development of all living things. It carries information in the form of genes, specific lengths of DNA that form recipes for body proteins. Genetic information is stored in the sequence in which four bases (adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine) are arranged along the DNA molecule. The dark bands represent the position of the bases on DNA. Every individual has a slightly different genetic code. Genetic fingerprinting such as this is used extensively in medicine, forensic science and paternity studies

© TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Artwork of a cutaway view of the Suns interior

Sun structure. Cutaway artwork showing theinside of the Sun. At the centre is the core(white), the site of the Sun's nuclear reactions, which fuse hydrogen to form helium. The core is ata temperature of around 15 million Kelvin, andsome four million tonnes of material is destroyedeach second by the reactions. Above the core isthe radiative zone, where the photons produced inthe core collide with charged particles, re-radiating heat and light. Above this is theconductive zone, where hot gas (arrows) rises tothe surface to release energy before falling backto be reheated. A sunspot (dark) is seen at upperright, a cooler area on the Sun's surface

© Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library