Soap Bubble Structures by Kym Cox. Bubbles optimise space and minimise their surface area for a given volume of air. This phenomenon makes them a useful tool in many areas of research, in particular, materials science and “packing” – how things fit together. Bubble walls drain under gravity, thin at the top, thick at the bottom, which interferes with travelling lightwaves to create bands of colour. Black spots show the wall is too thin for interference colours, indicating the bubble is about to burst. (Photo by Kym Cox/2019 Science Photographer of the Year/RPS)

A robot using artificial intelligence is displayed at a stand during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, on May 30, 2024. Humanity is in a race against time to harness the colossal emerging power of artificial intelligence for the good of all, while averting dire risks, a top UN official said. (Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP Photo)

Stanislav Fursov (top) and Ekaterina Simonova from Russia, who are representing the city of Moscow, dance during the Stage style final round at the Tango World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 27, 2015. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Reuters)

Men dressed as “Krampuss” prepare to parade at Munich's Christmas market, December 13, 2015. Young single men will wear the traditional attires known as “Krampusse”, consisting of animal skins and masks, with large cow-bells to make loud and frightening noises and parade through the city. They follow “Saint Nicholas” from house to house in December each year to bring luck to the good and punish the idle. (Photo by Michael Dalder/Reuters)

This photo taken on April 25, 2015 shows a pet male monkey named “JK” (R) and his partner “Shaki” (L) eating dinner at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Jamil, a 45-year single Malaysian man, has unusual pets – two macaque monkeys. JK and Shaki, both nine years old, usually ride with Jamil on his motorcycle and they often have dinner together in public restaurants, drawing instant public awe. (Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP Photo)

A girl uses her mobile phone during the evening at the National Park in Khartoum, Sudan, April 24, 2015. (Photo by Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)

With "Art Eggcident," Dutch artist Henk Hofstra demonstrates what it would look like if God threw giant eggs down at us. The eight large, sunny side up eggs measure almost 100 feet wide in diameter. The installation took place in Leeuwarden, a city in the north of the Netherlands.
"I hope it becomes a meeting place with room for art," says Henk. "Art that is different than a framed picture on the wall or a boring bronze sculpture. Art that shows us a different look, surprises us, or makes us angry or happy. Art that allows photographers to grab their cameras and arouses journalists. Art that evokes emotion, or provokes wild laughter."

The Royal Observatory just announced its Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2013 winners. Australian photographer Mark Gee was chosen among a thousand amateur and professional photographers around the globe to win the top title. His work is part of an exhibition of the winning photographers, which opened on Sept. 19 at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The Royal Observatory shared with us the winners and notable mentions of the competition. Their descriptions of the prizewinners can be found below the images.