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Eco-photos of the week: July 4-10

By: Catie Leary on July 9, 2010, 7:57 a.m.

Photo: ZUMA Press

10 of 15

Solar Impulse takes off

Solar Impulse's CEO and pilot, Andre Borschberg, steers the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane after it takes off for its first night flight attempt at Payerne airport, Switzerland, on July 7.

The propeller plane, with a 200-foot wingspan, is powered by four electric motors and designed to fly day and night by saving surplus energy from its 12,000 solar cells in high-performance batteries.

A plastic American flag sits in a pool of oil as people walk across the beach

Jockeys race their camels in the Australian Camel Cup

Abandoned lawn chairs on the oiled beach

Young folks cool down with a mist machine

Belarussian girls participate in a Kupalle celebration in Turov

Solar Impulse takes off

Solar Impulse's CEO and pilot, Andre Borschberg, steers the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane after it takes off for its first night flight attempt at Payerne airport, Switzerland, on July 7.

The propeller plane, with a 200-foot wingspan, is powered by four electric motors and designed to fly day and night by saving surplus energy from its 12,000 solar cells in high-performance batteries.