Images Dated 13th August 2004

Total eclipse of the Moon in October 1996

Lunar eclipse. Total eclipse of the Moon, a phenomenon caused when the Moon enters the shadow cast by the Earth. This image shows the first moments after the totality phase: the bright portion at upper left is just emerging from the shadow of the Earth. During totality the Moon does not generally disappear. It is still visible due to the sunlight refracted onto its surface by the Earth's atmosphere. The colour of the lunar disc during an eclipse depends on the amount of dust and volcanic ash present in the atmosphere of the Earth. This is because these particles scatter blue light, making the sunlight appear red. Photograph taken in October 1996 in the USA

© JOHN SANFORD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Red onion

Red onion. Top of a red onion (Allium cepa). The onion is a vegetable native to Asia, but it is now cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical regions. Onions can be eaten raw or cooked and are often used to add flavour to a variety of dishes. They contain a range of vitamins and minerals. Red onions are used by herbalists to treat skin conditions, high blood pressure and haemorrhoids

© VERONIQUE LEPLAT/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Pigment molecule, TEM

Pigment molecule, coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM). This is a molecule of a pigment protein called alpha-crustacyanin. This is found in the carapace (shell) of the common lobster (Homarus gammarus). It is a blue carotenoprotein. The molecule consists of eight subunits. These are linked to form the helical structure seen here. Magnification: x4, 500, 000 when printed 10cm wide

© BIOMEDICAL IMAGING UNIT, SOUTHAMPTON GENERAL HOSPITAL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY