Images Dated 9th July 2002

Artwork of the stages in human evolution

Human evolution. Illustration showing stages in the evolution of humans. At left, proconsul (23-15 million years ago) is depicted hypothetically as an African ape with both primitive and advanced features. From it Australopithecus afarensis (>4- 2.5 Myr BP) evolved and displayed a bipedal, upright gait walking on two legs. Homo habilis (2.5 Myr BP) was truly human ("homo") resembling Australopithecus but also used stone tools. About 1.5 Myr BP Homo erectus (at centre) appeared in Africa, used fire, wooden tools, and migrated from Africa into Eurasia. Homo neanderthalensis (200, 000 years BP) lived in Europe and Middle East and was closely related to modern humans (right)

© DAVID GIFFORD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Computer artwork of the constellation of Gemini

Gemini. Computer artwork of the constellation of Gemini, the Twins, with a red line showing its shape in the sky. The grey areas are the star clouds of the Milky Way. Gemini is the third of the twelve constellations or signs of the Zodiac. The twins are the two brightest stars in the lower right of the constellation, with Pollux above and to the right of Castor. In Roman mythology they were the sons of Leda the Swan; born of the same egg. They were placed in the heavens because of their brotherly love, although they represent the opposing principles of war (Castor) and peace (Pollux). They were also the guardians of Rome and its sailors

© JULIAN BAUM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY