Look closely.
Streaks of coral mucus (in folds), the small green dots (prokaryotes), the larger orange spheres (most likely eukaryotic cells of some kind) - an image obtained today by the eclair-making postdoc (who hasn't brought in eclairs in a long, long time).
It's own universe.
The surface mucopolysaccharide layer of the Caribbean reef-building coral, Montastrea faveolata.
The universe in this image is what we are trying to understand. It's funny how we're studying the microscopic members of this mysterious universe, but here I am tonight, looking at this image - sensing the vastness of it all.
It's like wandering into a strange and new world.
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. - Albert Einstein
Lovely.
It's probably unethical, but if you have any academic power to wield over the eclair-making post-doc, you might consider giving him an oh--by-the-way sort of reminder that his academic performance and that of his eclair-making are so closely related as to be symbiotic in nature.
Eh. Unethical, unschemethical.
Posted by: John B. | 29 January 2008 at 10:23 PM
I got distracted by the thought of éclairs - now that would be a treat. John B. had a good idea above.
When I first saw this photograph, I was reminded of yesterday seeing the blotches of snow randomly stuck to the windows ... the patterns were similar. I like this picture better though because there is colour. It does look rather vast with all those dark spaces. Quite amazing to think about what inhabits the dark spaces.
Posted by: kate | 30 January 2008 at 02:42 AM
I have a primitive microscope here at home that I use to look at stuff sometimes. Fascinating! Too bad microscopes aren't as commonplace in homes as, say, TVs or even computers.
Posted by: Pat | 30 January 2008 at 07:56 AM
John B: Yes, ethics smethics, when it comes to homemade eclairs, it is perfectly understandable to toss all of that - fluff - out the window. I will try new tactics today, and thank you for the words of...eclair wisdom.
Kate: Homemade eclairs distract EVERYONE. It is perfectly understandable, and forgiveable...as for the 'dark spaces' - I'm with you, their infinitely curious places.
Pat: How fun! Do you know what magnification it is? You can probably see quite a bit of stuff. Cool.
Posted by: Pam | 30 January 2008 at 08:50 AM
I really enjoy your blog. It takes me out of my usual comfort zone and takes me to places I've never been, or places I haven't explored since my days as a science/ag student at Agricultural College. Great humour too. I hope the eclairs materialize soon!
Posted by: jodi | 30 January 2008 at 08:56 AM
It is a beautiful universe and one I have not seen before so, thanks!
Posted by: layanee | 30 January 2008 at 05:47 PM
Thank you Jodi. And I'm with you - about those eclairs.
Layanee, we haven't seen it either, until those images. So you were only a few hours behind on this one.
Posted by: Pam | 30 January 2008 at 10:35 PM