IN a galaxy far, far away, this collection of stunning interstellar formations will leave you STARSTRUCK. Located millions of light years away from Earth, the patterns burst with colour but are unable to be seen clearly with the naked eye. Photographer Terry Hancock captured the images using a specialist astronomy camera attached to a telescope, from the comfort of his own back garden in Fremont, Michigan, USA. The 61-year-old sales manager, originally from Burnley, Lancashire, says: “My pictures are all long exposures of galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, which range in distance from thousands to many millions of light years away from Earth.
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .
An Italian photographer travelled to Chile where he visited several star-gazing sites, home to some of the world's most advanced telescopes, located in the spectacular setting of the Atacama desert .
Sprawled out on top of a log, this sleeping leopard takes a relaxing break from his daily routine .
DIPPING his head into the vase of water, this little squirrel takes a refreshing break from an afternoon of eating .
FISTS fly as two gorillas take each other on in a dramatic battle .
The rock restaurant, located in Zanzibar – THIS unique restaurant really does boast breath-taking views - as it is perched on a rock in the middle of the sea .
MAKING himself at home, this little snail perches happily on top of this frog's head .
SOARING at 112 miles per hour through the air, this petite blonde certainly lives up to her title as the fastest flying woman in the world .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
A British photographer has captured the beauty of London in a stunning series of landscapes shots .
HUDDLED together in the hollow of a tree, it would be easy to overlook these two sleepy owls as they blend into the trunk .
Pic By Graham Gibson/ HotSpot Media - SHARK HYPNOTIST BALANCES SHARK IN PALM OF HIS HAND- In Pic - Diver Tom and Caribbean reef sharks in the Bahamas- A SHARK hypnotist balances these predators in the palm of his hand by sending them to sleep with a gentle nose rub .