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The best science and technology pictures of the week

News imageLightning erupts from storm clouds over Gillette, Wyoming. Weather forecasters have predicted more heavy rain and thunderstorms. (Daniel Brenner, Gillette News Record/AP)
Lightning erupts from storm clouds over Gillette, Wyoming. Weather forecasters have predicted more heavy rain and thunderstorms. (Daniel Brenner, Gillette News Record/AP)

The most impressive pictures from the worlds of science and technology this week, from a water-bombing helicopter to a desperate whale rescue.

More galleriesFuturistic dancers and swirling stars

News image(Sebastian Guillermaz/APOTY)
(Sebastian Guillermaz/APOTY)

Sci-fi balloons and hungry whales

News image(AP)
(AP)

Robot giraffe and double tornado

News image(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Supersonic selfie and eerie rivers

News image(David Cenciotti)
(David Cenciotti)

A brooding storm and a Super Earth

News image(Center for Astrophysics/Reuters)
(Center for Astrophysics/Reuters)

Roaring rockets and an Earth selfie

News imageJapan's H-IIA rocket lifts off from a space centre on the island of Tanegashima to deploy a new mapping satellite for surveying natural disaster damage. (AFP/Getty Images)
Japan's H-IIA rocket lifts off from a space centre on the island of Tanegashima to deploy a new mapping satellite for surveying natural disaster damage. (AFP/Getty Images)

Chinese lightning and rocking robots

News imageLightning arcs across the sky during a storm in Guangzhou, Guangdong province in China. (Reuters)
Lightning arcs across the sky during a storm in Guangzhou, Guangdong province in China. (Reuters)

Fire bombing and huggy bears

News imageTwo brown bears embrace inside an enclosure at a bear park in Zarnesti, central Romania. The bears are some of many rescued from roadside stalls or restaurants. (Reuters)
Two brown bears embrace inside an enclosure at a bear park in Zarnesti, central Romania. The bears are some of many rescued from roadside stalls or restaurants. (Reuters)

Blazing skies and moody twisters

News imageClouds lit up by the setting sun at Mollymook Beach on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. (Reuters)
Clouds lit up by the setting sun at Mollymook Beach on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. (Reuters)

Amazing air displays and breathtaking nature

News imageflight
flight

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)

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