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X-ray imaging opaque amber
Opaque amber. Amber (fossilised resin from prehistoric coniferous plants) resting on a plinth. The amber sample will be subjected to X-ray imaging at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. The synchrotron's powerful x-rays penetrate the opaque amber and detect the presence of inclusions (remains of trapped insects or plants). The X-rays are fired at multiple angles around the amber to create virtual slices. These are reconstructed into a high resolution 3-D computer model. In 2008 this technique has revealed over 350 extinct fossil animals, such as wasps, flies, ants and spiders.
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