Incredible electron microscope images that look like colourful alien life, but are actually ancient cells that pre-date the dinosaurs



They might look like a gallery of alien creatures, but these stunning pictures actually show ancient cells that have been magnified up to a million times.

The incredible images were taken using an electron microscope, and coloured to create a mesmerising catalogue of weird and wonderful life.



They feature diatoms, single cells just 0.002-inches-long which are thought to pre-date the dinosaurs.

Memorizing: The ancient cells were magnified up to a million times using an electron microscope before being coloured to create stunning patterns of natural life



Pucker up: This image of an elongated and curved cell appears to resemble a luscious pair of rich pink and red lips, or even a neon sign, it is that bright

Oceanographer Dr Paul Hargreaves teamed up with artist Faye Darling to create the stunning works of art.

A particle beam of electrons is used to illuminate the tiny organism before a 3D picture is taken. The image is then 'colourised' by Mrs Darling using a variety of digital paint programmes.

What started as a hobby has become a part-time occupation for the grandmother of two from Rhode Island, U.S.

'It may take me as little as three to four hours to complete one image, but I have worked as long as 25-30 hours on one image,' she said.

Two peas in a pod: Many of the tiny cells are just 0.002-inches-long and are thought to pre-date the dinosaurs

Zap: A particle beam of electrons is used to illuminate the tiny organism before a 3D picture is taken. The cells are then coloured to produce the impressive effect Kaleidoscope: This selection of seven different cells have been coloured shades of blue, purple and turquoise to create an attractive group of molecules

'What inspires me is being able to turn rather unusual black and white images and transform them into sparking little gems that make people take notice of them.

'It also makes me happy to know the Dr. Hargraves uses some of the images to accompany his lectures especially to new students who are just beginning to have an interest in oceanography and marine biology.