These stunning and enigmatic images were captured by scientists and photographers, like Felice Frankel, during her everyday life. Take a moment to see if you can guess what they depict before reading further. We will unveil the details beneath each photo.

The primary image is featured in Frankel’s latest publication, Amazing Moments: Uncovering the Hidden Science Around Us. Each close-up shot, many taken with her smartphone, is paired with an explanation of the scientific process highlighted. “It’s akin to a guessing game,” she notes.

So, what’s the answer? The primary image at the beginning of this article features an opal. The blue lines present are mineral veins. When light passes through the stone, it diffracts, and the size of the silica spheres along with their spacing determine the colors observed.

The above image was taken while Frankel sautéed peppers, where condensation formed on the pot lid. These small droplets acted as lenses, transmitting the colors of the peppers through the lid to the camera.

The above photo captures a high-resolution image of a 5 cm mineral agate sample. Its intricate pattern showcases a layer of silica.

Frankel was captivated by the glowing copper pot depicted above. When copper is heated and exposed to air, it oxidizes, resulting in vivid copper compounds that create beautiful colors.

In the concluding image above, oil leaking from the car forms a thin layer atop the puddle. Light reflects off the top and bottom of this oil layer, which varies in thickness, creating a spectrum of colors due to these reflections.