2014 New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography
Winner Dr Mark Talbot, CSIRO Plant Industry.
Through the Looking Glass
CSIRO scientist Mark Talbot has been awarded the New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography.
Mark’s image Wheat through the looking glass captures the birth of a seed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), combining images from two different modes of the SEM, artificially coloured to highlight cell outlines (blue) and nuclei (orange). This unique method used to create these images unexpectedly revealed details normally invisible using SEM technology.
“Using a scientific process, Mark has transformed a simple wheat bud into a stunning image. Photographs in the New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography reveal the beauty of science in every-day life,” Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay said.
Taking out second place was ACT’s Charles Tambiah, with his photograph Unravelling a basket star. Third was Alfred Manta feeding by Queenslander Gary Cranitch.
Unravelling a basket star: Charles Tambiah from the Australian National University composed a striking image of a basket star by combining fibre-optics and imaging software to 'paint' hidden spaces. Charles’ unravelling of this simple, yet complex, marine creature was placed second in the New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography.
Alfred Manta feeding: The Alfred Manta, up to 5.5m wide, is one of the largest rays on the planet. Queensland Museum’s Gary Cranitch has captured this graceful giant feeding on plankton, lit by sunbeams just below the ocean surface.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards. The Eureka Prizes have been rewarding science since 1990—celebrating 25 years in 2014. Seven other entries were highly commended. All ten images are here.
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