X

Tiny organisms turned into art (pictures)

A collection of microscope slides published by the California Academy of Sciences showcases unicellular algae called diatoms that are arranged to create stunning mandalas.

James Martin
James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
James Martin
8981509345_61a0c5ef90_b.jpg
1 of 8 California Academy of Sciences and Sara Mansfield

Diatom mandalas

Diatoms, some of our planet's smallest organisms, are a major group of algae with nearly 100,000 different species in existence. Many times these unicellular organisms have been photographed for scientific study and museum curation. The California Academy of Sciences Diatom Collection contains more than 50,000 samples and 125,000 microscope slides.

But around the world, hobbyists, using science as art, have arranged and colored these tiny lifeforms into mandala-like works of art. The microscopic creations, published recently by the academy on its Flickr page, are incredibly small. The inset scale bar here shows 100 µm, about 0.00394 inches.

For perspective, 181 µm is the maximum width of a strand of human hair, and 760 µm is the thickness of a standard credit card.

This photograph containing diatoms was collected in Russia and arranged on a microscope slide in 1952 by A.L. Brigger.

Note that the colors in these slides are not representative of living diatoms.
8981509675_24c210c0d1_b.jpg
2 of 8 California Academy of Sciences and Sara Mansfield

Microscope slides

Photograph of diatoms arranged on a microscope slide by W.M. Grant.

Source: The California Academy of Sciences Flickr page
8981509235_b4754f5907_b.jpg
3 of 8 California Academy of Sciences and Sara Mansfield

Fossil diatoms

This photograph of fossil diatoms collected in Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California, was arranged on a microscope slide in 1968 by A.L. Brigger.

Though most live in open water, diatoms can be found in oceans, freshwater, soils and on in other damp conditions. Diatoms are estimated to contribute up to 45 percent of the total oceanic production of organic compounds from atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Source: The California Academy of Sciences Flickr page
8981509637_5fabe6fca2_b.jpg
4 of 8 California Academy of Sciences and Sara Mansfield

Prize Medal Paris 1867 Diatomaceae

Here, we see a photograph of diatoms arranged on a microscope slide labeled "Prize Medal Paris 1867 Diatomaceae."

Source: The California Academy of Sciences Flickr page
8981509677_6ef4f28c78_b.jpg
5 of 8 California Academy of Sciences and Sara Mansfield

Diatoms from Bolinas Lagoon

This photograph is of Arachnoidiscus diatoms collected in the Bolinas Lagoon in Marin County, California and arranged on a microscope slide by R.F. Behan.

Source: The California Academy of Sciences Flickr page
8982703970_99c34a6539_b.jpg
6 of 8 California Academy of Sciences and Sara Mansfield

Beautiful diatoms

Photograph of diatoms arranged on a microscope slide by W.M. Grant from the California Academy of Sciences Diatom Collection.

Source: The California Academy of Sciences Flickr page
8982704016_3774a82034_b.jpg
7 of 8 California Academy of Sciences and Sara Mansfield

Pretty science

Arranged diatoms on microscope slides in the California Academy of Sciences Diatom Collection which have been arranged on a microscope slide by W.M. Grant.

Source: The California Academy of Sciences Flickr page
8982704194_bc7c92f749_b.jpg
8 of 8 California Academy of Sciences and Sara Mansfield

Arachnoidiscus diatoms

Photograph of Arachnoidiscus diatoms collected in the Bolinas Lagoon in Marin County, California and arranged on a microscope slide by R.F. Behan.

Source: The California Academy of Sciences Flickr page

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos