Editor's Picks

Mandelbrot fractal

Mandelbrot fractal. Computer graphic showing a fractal image derived from the Mandelbrot Set. Fractals geometry is used to derive complex shapes as often occur in nature. The Mandelbrot Set, named after the mathematician Benoit B. Mandelbrot, is a group of complex numbers. Each point is assigned a colour depending upon its behaviour plotted under a series of simple but repeated mathematical operations or mappings. Generated on a computer screen, fractals are used to create models for real-world non-linear phenomena such as stock market prices, weather forecasting, plant growth, erosion of coastlines and fluid turbulence

© PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Moon jellyfish

Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita). This is a very common jellyfish, found in coastal waters around the world. The moon jellyfish swims horizontally, keeping its bell near the water's surface at all times. It is carnivorous, feeding on zooplankton, which is trapped by the mucus lining on the bell before being moved along channels to the jellyfish's stomach. Although this jellyfish has tentacles containing nematocysts (stinging cells), the nematocysts are not strong enough to pierce human skin. This jellyfish can reach a diameter of 40 centimetres. Jellyfish are free-swimming aquatic invertebrates, related to the corals and anemones

© DIRK WIERSMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Flamingo flock, Ras al Khor Sanctuary, Dubai

Ras Al Khor wildlife Sanctuary. Rakws is located at the head of the 14Km long watercourse known as Dubai Creek, and covers an area of 620 hectares featuring sabkhas saline flats, intertidal mudflats and mangroves, small lagoons and pools, and a few tiny islands which lies at the interface between the Persian gulf and the Al Awir Desert. During winter, RAKWS supports more than 20, 000 water birds of 67 species and acts as a critical staging ground for the wintering birds of the East African-West Asian Flyway. The site hosts more than 500 species of flora and fauna and is one of the best-managed arid zone wetlands in the region. Located within Dubai city, it is an important eco-tourism destination and receives increasing numbers of local and international visitors

© 2014 Frans Sellies