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The best science and technology pictures of the week

News imageLieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alexandra Olsson and Penny Thackray made history by becoming the first female submariners to serve in Britain’s Royal Navy. (PA)
Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alexandra Olsson and Penny Thackray made history by becoming the first female submariners to serve in Britain’s Royal Navy. (PA)

The most impressive images this week from science, tech and health, including the birth of the Universe, edible scorpions and a bear with a slipped disc.

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Amazing air displays and breathtaking nature

News imageHungarian pilot Zoltan Veres flies under the oldest Hungarian bridge, the 'Lanchid' (Chain Bridge) with his 'MXS' type plane. (Getty Images)
Hungarian pilot Zoltan Veres flies under the oldest Hungarian bridge, the 'Lanchid' (Chain Bridge) with his 'MXS' type plane. (Getty Images)

Frightening lightning and dust storms

News imageHuman anatomy mannequins on display in Depok in Indonesia. The fibreglass models are used in hospitals, schools and laboratories. (Getty Images)
Human anatomy mannequins on display in Depok in Indonesia. The fibreglass models are used in hospitals, schools and laboratories. (Getty Images)

Plane trails and tadpole stars

News imageContrails from jets flying overhead form a backdrop behind the National Museum of Art in Washington DC. (AP)
Contrails from jets flying overhead form a backdrop behind the National Museum of Art in Washington DC. (AP)

Volcanic plumes and home-made tanks

News imageAsh rises into the sky from Ecuador’s Tungurahua volcano near Banos, south of the capital Quito. The volcano has been classified as active since 1999. (Reuters)
Ash rises into the sky from Ecuador’s Tungurahua volcano near Banos, south of the capital Quito. The volcano has been classified as active since 1999. (Reuters)

Foggy landings and robot tackles

News imageA plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport, west London, during heavy fog caused by pollution and dust blown up from the Sahara Desert. (PA)
A plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport, west London, during heavy fog caused by pollution and dust blown up from the Sahara Desert. (PA)

Space suit test and peeking penguins

News imageGentoo penguins at the start of their breeding seasons at the Sea Life London Aquarium. (PA Wire)
Gentoo penguins at the start of their breeding seasons at the Sea Life London Aquarium. (PA Wire)

Ocean secrets and the dawn of the Universe

News imageFour F/A-18s of the US Navy Blue Angels display team perform a close-formation aerobatics stunt during an air show in El Centro, California. (Imperial Valley Press/AP)
Four F/A-18s of the US Navy Blue Angels display team perform a close-formation aerobatics stunt during an air show in El Centro, California. (Imperial Valley Press/AP)

Sexy robots and an eerie whale

News imageTwo robots perform a cheeky pole dance on the eve of the CeBIT Technology Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany. (AFP/Getty Images)
Two robots perform a cheeky pole dance on the eve of the CeBIT Technology Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany. (AFP/Getty Images)

Aurora mission and frozen falls

News imageA Nasa rocket is launched into an aurora over the Alaskan village of Venetie. The rocket’s mission was to investigate “curls” – patterns showing magnetic activity. (Nasa/Reuters)
A Nasa rocket is launched into an aurora over the Alaskan village of Venetie. The rocket’s mission was to investigate “curls” – patterns showing magnetic activity. (Nasa/Reuters)

Leopard escape and London time travel

News imageGeorge Davison Reid’s 1930 view of Tower Bridge is merged with a modern scene as part of an exhibit at the Museum of London. (GD Reid/Museum of London)
George Davison Reid’s 1930 view of Tower Bridge is merged with a modern scene as part of an exhibit at the Museum of London. (GD Reid/Museum of London)

Iced-up airliners and a violent Sun

News imageAn airport worker sprays de-icing liquid onto a Boeing 737m, as China shivers during snowy winter weather. (Reuters)
An airport worker sprays de-icing liquid onto a Boeing 737m, as China shivers during snowy winter weather. (Reuters)

Dancing F-16s and a view of the Universe

News imageTwo F-16s of the Singaporean Air Force display team the Black Knights, captured during a performance at the Singapore Airshow. (AP)
Two F-16s of the Singaporean Air Force display team the Black Knights, captured during a performance at the Singapore Airshow. (AP)

A rocket’s slow crawl and a spectacular volcano

News imageA Russian Soyuz-U booster carrying an unmanned cargo spacecraft Progress M-22M heads to the launchpad at Baikonur, Kazakhstan. (AFP/Getty Images)
A Russian Soyuz-U booster carrying an unmanned cargo spacecraft Progress M-22M heads to the launchpad at Baikonur, Kazakhstan. (AFP/Getty Images)

A lion's check up and a brain sculpture

News imageA Kenya Wildlife Service team take measurements of a male lion’s teeth while they prepare to fit the animal with a GPS tracking collar in Nairobi National Park. (AP)
A Kenya Wildlife Service team take measurements of a male lion’s teeth while they prepare to fit the animal with a GPS tracking collar in Nairobi National Park. (AP)

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