See the Scientific and the Mundane Become Surprisingly Dazzling When Viewed Through a Microscope, From Neurons to Ballpoint Pens

The Nikon Small World Competition has announced its photography winners for its 52nd annual contest. This comes weeks after its video winner was dethroned for use of generative A.I.

October 21, 2026 10:00 a.m.

Third-place winner: neurons in an expanded mouse brain Kaelin Wulf and Rachel Flannery

The winning images have been announced for the 52nd Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition . This year’s winners—all captured through a microscope—include zoomed-in shots of slime mold spores, baby sea urchins bathed in fluorescence and everyday writing utensils transformed into enchanted objects.

From a pool of more than 1,800 entries submitted from 69 countries, the judges selected 20 winners as well as honorable mentions and images of distinction.…