The week in pictures: 18 December 2009

A round-up of our favourite photographs of the week.

18 December 2009 • 6:54pm

This image provided by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope shows rilliant blue stars wreathed by warm, glowing clouds. The festive portrait is the most detailed view of a young stellar grouping, called R136 in the 30 Doradus Nebula — This December 2009 image shows brilliant blue stars wreathed by warm, glowing clouds. The festive portrait is the most detailed view of a young stellar grouping, called R136 in the 30 Doradus Nebula, a turbulent star-birth region in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way. Many of the diamond-like icy blue stars are among the most massive stars known. Several of them are over 100 times more massive than our Sun Credit: AP / NASA

A huge meteor hurtles to earth during the annual Geminid meteor shower in this picture taken from the Mojave Desert area near Victorville, California, by astro-photogrpaher Wally Pacholka

A huge meteor hurtles to earth during the annual Geminid meteor shower in this picture taken from the Mojave Desert area near Victorville, California, by astro-photogrpaher Wally Pacholka Credit: WALLY PACHOLKA / BARCROFT

The first flash of sunlight reflects off a lake on Saturn's moon Titan in this picture taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. The glint confirmed the presence of liquid in the moon's northern hemisphere — The first flash of sunlight reflects off a lake on Saturn's moon Titan in this picture taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. The glint confirmed the presence of liquid in the moon's northern hemisphere Credit: NASA / REUTERS

This image provided by NASA shows the Mayon volcano in the Philippines, captured by the Advanced Land Imager on NASA's Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite. A small plume of ash and/or steam is blowing west from the summit — This image provided by NASA shows the Mayon volcano in the Philippines, captured by the Advanced Land Imager on NASA's Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite. A small plume of ash and/or steam is blowing west from the summit Credit: NASA

Glowing lava cascading down Mayon volcano lights up the night sky near Legazpi, Philippines — Glowing lava cascading down Mayon volcano lights up the night sky near Legazpi, Philippines Credit: REUTERS

A large lenticular cloud (also known as a UFO cloud) caps Mount Hood in Oregon, where the search for two missing climbers continues. A third member of their party was discovered dead over the weekend — A large lenticular cloud (also known as a UFO cloud) caps Mount Hood in Oregon, during the search for two missing climbers. A third member of their party was discovered dead last weekend Credit: AP

Etched onto the desert sands of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, this unique sand drawing is the world's largest single artwork with a total circumference of over nine miles — Etched onto the sands of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, this sand drawing by Jim Denevan is thought to be the world's largest single artwork with a total circumference of over nine miles... Credit: JIM DENEVAN / BARCROFT MEDIA

A flight plan over the the whole of the US over a 24-hour period. Google employee and artist Aaron Koblin uses data from the US Federal Aviation Administration to create maps of air traffic over a 24-hour period — A flight plan over the the whole of the US over a 24-hour period. Google employee and artist Aaron Koblin uses data from the US Federal Aviation Administration to create maps of air traffic over a 24-hour period Credit: AARON KOBLIN / BARCROFT

A Christmas stocking filler has been slammed as being insensitive to the memory of the victims of the Titanic disaster. The Gin & Titonic comprises ice cubes shaped likethe doomed liner complete with ice bergs — A Christmas stocking filler has been slammed as being insensitive to the memory of the victims of the Titanic disaster. The Gin & Titonic comprises ice cubes shaped like the doomed liner, complete with icebergs Credit: BNPS

A woman looks out of the window of her house in a suburb of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk — A woman looks out of the window of her house in a suburb of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk Credit: REUTERS

Workers shape a snow sculpture featuring the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest prior to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China — Workers shape a snow sculpture featuring the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest prior to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China Credit: REUTERS

The entrance to the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz in Oswiecim without the sign 'Arbeit macht frei' (work will set you free)(top). The notorious metal sign was stolen (bottom) and has now been replaced with another — The entrance to the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz in Oswiecim without the sign 'Arbeit macht frei' (work will set you free). The metal sign was stolen (bottom) and has now been replaced with another Credit: REUTERS

Women members of the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club brave the freezing water of the Women's Pond — Women members of the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club brave the freezing water of the Women's Pond in North London Credit: LONDON MEDIA

A woman walks behind a snow covered Santa Claus statue after heavy snowfall in the Thuringian Forest in in Lauscha, central Germany — A woman walks behind a snow covered Santa Claus statue after heavy snowfall in the Thuringian Forest in in Lauscha, central Germany Credit: AP

An elf throws a stone in the 2nd World Santa Bonspiel / Curling Championship at Fenton's Rink, Dundale farm, Tunbridge Wells, Kent — An elf throws a stone in the 2nd World Santa Bonspiel / Curling Championship at Fenton's Rink, Dundale farm, Tunbridge Wells, Kent Credit: BARCROFT MEDIA

An unholy row has broken out after a billboard was put up in Auckland, New Zealand, showing Mary looking dejected after unsatisfying sex with Joseph. The poster caused outrage and was defaced by irate Christians — An unholy row has broken out after a billboard was put up in Auckland, New Zealand, showing Mary looking dejected after unsatisfying sex with Joseph. The poster caused outrage and was defaced by irate Christians Credit: BARCROFT

Kayla Kromer, a 26-year-old first grade teacher from Austin, Texas, dressed as Princess Leia, lies in her Millennium Falcon bed — Kayla Kromer, a 26-year-old first grade teacher from Austin, Texas, dressed as Princess Leia, lies in her Millennium Falcon bed Credit: REX FEATURES

Nate Heagy advertises his band Fear Salesman on Google Street View. When he spotted a Google camera car in his home town of Saskatoon, Canada, he overtook it and set up a sign on the corner of a street — Nate Heagy advertises his band Fear Salesman on Google Street View. When he spotted a Google camera car in his home town of Saskatoon, Canada, he overtook it and set up a sign on the corner of a street Credit: REX FEATURES

Darth Vader uses a pair of 'Chop Sabres' at the Poland Street branch of Yo Sushi in Soho, London, which is piloting the Star Wars themed chopsticks from Japan — Darth Vader uses a pair of 'Chop Sabres' at the Poland Street branch of Yo Sushi in Soho, London, which is piloting the Star Wars themed chopsticks from Japan Credit: PA

Silvio Berlusconi puppets with blood on their faces are seen at a craft shop in San Gregorio Armeno street, in Naples — Silvio Berlusconi puppets with blood on their faces are seen at a craft shop in San Gregorio Armeno street, in Naples Credit: AFP/GETTY

An Indonesian man riding a pedicab carrying a statue of US President Barack Obama takes a fall in the road during the 2009 Indonesian Biennale art event in Yogyakarta — An Indonesian man riding a pedicab carrying a statue of US President Barack Obama takes a fall in the road during the 2009 Indonesian Biennale art event in Yogyakarta Credit: AFP/GETTY

Models pose at the launch of the Adults Only Grown Up Grotto at Westfield Shopping Centre in London... — Models pose at the launch of the Adults Only Grown Up Grotto at Westfield Shopping Centre in London... Credit: GETTY

A woman in Madrid looks at a model wearing new underpants that the manufacturer, Unno, says provide extra enhancement for men's assets — A woman in Madrid looks at a model wearing new underpants that the manufacturer, Unno, says provide extra enhancement for men's assets Credit: REUTERS

A new BBC kids' show which spoofs The X Factor. Chief judge for the Zoo Factor series is Clive, a vain, lazy lion who eats the acts who do not make the grade at auditions - like these two meerkats who seem to be based on Jedward — A new BBC kids' show which spoofs The X Factor. Chief judge for the Zoo Factor series is Clive, a vain, lazy lion who eats the acts who do not make the grade at auditions - like these two meerkats who seem to be based on Jedward Credit: PA

Chefs and culinary students display 5,000 cheese-inspired dishes in an attempt to set a new world record, in Manila — Chefs and culinary students display 5,000 cheese-inspired dishes in an attempt to set a new world record, in Manila Credit: REUTERS

Palestinians install a statue of a watermelon in front of a police station in the West Bank town of Jenin. The area is known for its watermelons — Palestinians install a statue of a watermelon in front of a police station in the West Bank town of Jenin. The area is known for its watermelons Credit: AP

A 4,000-year-old lentil seed which was discovered during archeological excavations at the Seyitomer mound in Turkey, grows at the Dumlupinar University in Kutahya — A 4,000-year-old lentil seed which was discovered during archeological excavations at the Seyitomer mound in Turkey, grows at the Dumlupinar University in Kutahya Credit: EPA

An Indonesian miner collects sulphur from the crater atop the Ijen volcano in Banyuwangi, on East Java — An Indonesian miner collects sulphur from the crater atop the Ijen volcano in Banyuwangi, on East Java Credit: AFP/GETTY

Afghan army soldiers cover their ears while a US Army soldier fires a 60mm mortar toward a mountain during a patrol at Nadir-Chawcod district in Khowst province — Afghan army soldiers cover their ears while a US Army soldier fires a 60mm mortar toward a mountain during a patrol at Nadir-Chawcod district in Khowst province Credit: REUTERS

A part of a sunken Isis temple is lifted out of the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt — A part of a sunken Isis temple is lifted out of the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt Credit: EPA