Megapixel - the Universe, Guns & Vodka

Picture editor James brings you more amazing images we couldn't fit into the magazine this month...

A lot of images have been catching my eye this week, and because I’m a generous sort of chap I thought I’d share. First up, I was impressed by the first full-sky image taken by ESA’s Planck observatory, launched last year. This stunning image shows cosmic microwave background radiation in the universe, and it is hoped that the data obtained by Planck will help scientists understand why the universe has taken the form that it has. The image itself is stunningly clear, and a big improvement on the first CMB images produced by the COBE satellite 20 years ago.

If you don’t enjoy your choice of career that much, spare a thought for this worker in China. He’s got to pick his way through 13,000 confiscated weapons, including some rather dangerous looking guns, machetes and a rather large sword hanging just above his head.

Now I don’t know about you, but when I have a little tipple, I often find myself wondering what the contents of my glass would look like under a microscope. Now, thanks to a firm called Bevshots in the US, we can do just that. The results are surprisingly beautiful (unlike me after a few drinks), my personal favourite being an impressive shot of Vodka. The photographic process required is a lengthy one, and can take a few weeks for the alcohol to dry sufficiently to produce an image.

If you have any images you wish to share with us, get in touch at picturedesk@bbcfocusmagazine.com.

Find out more 

• More great images of mega-vehicles
• Gulf of Mexico oil slick from space