Impossible photo of a single atom

A single strontium atom is illuminated by a laser while suspended in the air. The extraordinary photo was taken by David Nadlinger, from the University of Oxford.

When illuminated by a laser of the right blue-violet colour the atom absorbs and re-emits light particles sufficiently quickly for an ordinary camera to capture it in a long exposure photograph.

References:

• A scientist captured an impossible photo of a single atom - Quartz
• Single trapped atom captures Science Photography Competition's top prize - EPSRC