Synthetic sun

The German Aerospace Center unveiled what it says is the world’s largest artificial sun on 23 March. Using 149 high-powered lamps, the Synlight facility in Jülich can create a spot where temperatures reach 3,000 °C. It will be used for research on producing fuels with solar power. Credit: Markus Hauschild

Secret snaps

Space ravioli

Six years later

Six years after the meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, much of the surrounding area is still deserted. The picture here — one of many shot by photographers visiting for the anniversary in March — shows a pachinko parlour (a type of gaming arcade) in Tomioka, where an evacuation order in place since the disaster will be partially lifted on 1 April. Credit: Ko Sasaki/New York Times/Redux/eyevine

Snapping bloodsuckers

Half sunk, a shattered visage lies

Archaeologists in Egypt unearthed the remnants of a huge statue in Cairo this month. The relic may be a 3,000-year-old, 8-metre-tall representation of pharaoh Ramses II, also known as Ozymandias. Credit: Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images

Wellcome back

Ice and fire

Animals in action