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.
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
The aurora lights captured in Blair Nebraska, America - WITH electrifying purple and illuminous green brightening up the night sky, this is the rare moment a flash of 'sprite' lightening was captured on camera .
The lighthouses of Brittany, from Brest to Le Conquet, stand tall on France’s north-western coast against stunning scenery .
FLOATING effortlessly on his back, this little otter laps up a rare glimmer of English spring sunshine .
With the full moon looming behind him, this polar bear nestles down for the night .
SAILING over crystal clear waters, the Bajau people of Malaysia live their lives almost entirely at SEA .
POWERFUL bolts of lightning illuminate the night sky in an incredible autumn storm over the Sardinian coastline .
These are the men with one of the most unpleasant jobs in the world .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
WITH HIS PAW covering his mouth, this cheeky cub looks amused by something .
