Wacky science images from the Getty (pictures)

This image was among more than 4,600 recently released by the Getty Museum in an online open-content collection. A high-quality version of each image is available as a download. The public is free to share, modify, and use these images. This particular photograph is from the 1800s and shows a moon crater. The photographer is unknown.

An unknown British photographer created this salted paper print from a Collodion negative in the mid-1800s. This image is one of more than 4,600 open-content images released online by the Getty Museum. These images are in the public domain, though downloaders are asked to share what they plan to do with each image.

These days, scientists know a lot about comets, including what they're made from and how they look. Back in the 13th century, people had a lot less information to go on. This page from an illuminated manuscript shows an artist's interpretation of what a comet looks like based on the information available at the time. This is one of thousands of public domain images released by the Getty Museum for its open-content initiative.

This illustration from a French illuminated manuscript shows a map of the world seen through the eyes of a 13th century artist. It's quite a bit different from modern versions of the globe. One thing that seems to be somewhat accurate is the large amount of water depicted. The illuminator who created this image is unknown. It is part of the Getty Museum's open-content initiative.

There are some unusual photographs among the more than 4,600 images released by the Getty Museum as part of its open-content program. This photograph was taken in Boston in 1847 and shows an early use of ether as an anesthetic. Doctors in suits stand around a patient, who seems pretty thoroughly knocked out. It's an interesting glimpse into early medical practices.

Back in the 1850s, English photographer Roger Fenton took this photo of an elephantine moa skeleton. The extinct bird was kept at the British Museum. It is one of the more unusual photographs to be found in the Getty Museum's online open-content archive. High-resolution downloads for the more than 4,600 images are available for free.

Astronomy in the 13th century required a lot of guesswork. This page from a French illuminated manuscript shows how different the view of the universe was back then. It shows the sun and moon orbiting around Earth. The page is made from tempera, pen and ink, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment. This is one of many intriguing historic science images from the Getty Museum's new open-content archive.

People today still get excited about solar eclipses. This stunning photograph was captured by American photographer Carleton Watkins in 1889. It was taken in the Santa Lucia Range in California and shows an eerie glow around the blacked-out sun. This is a notable science-related image found in the Getty Museum's new open-content collection.

This daguerreotype shows British inventor William Constable with a machine of his own creation. According to a label, the device is designed for "improvements in transmitting motive power to machinery, and in regulating the action of rotary machines." The self-portrait was made around 1854. This image is one of many now available for download from the Getty Museum's open-content archive.

This cyanotype image shows a collection of plants, feathers, and fabric arranged by French photographer Hippolyte Bayard. The image was created around 1842 and is one of several similar images found in the Getty Museum's open-content archive. The archive currently holds more than 4,600 images that are free for public domain use.