The best science and technology pictures of the week

Source: BBC

Solar show

A mid-level solar flare bursts from the sun, in an image captured by Nasa’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. (EPA/Nasa)

Aerial tragedy

Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo explodes in mid-air during a test flight above California’s Mojave Desert. The spaceship’s co-pilot died in the incident. (Reuters) 

Sparkling youth

An artist's impression of a young star surrounded by a disc in which planets are forming, provided by European Southern Observatory. (Reuters)

Historic landing

An F-35C Joint Strike Fighter approaches the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The new fighter aircraft carried out its first carrier landings. (AP) 

Dummy run

Medical workers wearing protective gear in a US army base use a mannequin to practice treating Ebola patients. (AP) 

Flying colours

An aircraft from the Irish airline Ryanair flies through a rainbow over the Italian capital Rome. (AFP/Getty Images) 

Flight club

      Tens of thousands of starlings in a murmuration near the town of Gretna Green in Scotland. (PA)