A team of scientists from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and the New England Aquarium will gather at the popular new District Hall, 75 Northern Ave. in Boston’s Innovation District on Thursday, Jan. 15, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to celebrate the technological and scientific achievement of a gallery of photos that capture microscopic marine microbes that are invisible to the naked eye.

Called “Tiny Giants: Marine microbes revealed on a grand scale,” the photographic art exhibit illuminates the intricate details of microscopic creatures that are vital to the oxygen we breathe, the food chain essential from fish to whales to humans, and that mitigate the damaging effects of climate change.

The photos were taken by scientists at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science in East Boothbay. To understand the microbes’ significance, presentations will be made by Dr. Graham Shimmield, Bigelow Laboratory’s Executive Director, and Dr. Nigella Hillgarth, the Aquarium’s CEO and President.

Guests can share dinner and a glass of wine with Bigelow Laboratory and Aquarium scientists including: Bigelow Laboratory’s Dr. Pete Countway, a microbial ecologist, who took many of the photographs; Dr. David Emerson, an iron-oxidizing bacteria expert; Dr. Paty Matrai, an expert on atmospheric and ocean conditions in the Arctic Ocean; and Dr. Benjamin Twining, a senior research scientist and director of education and research at the Laboratory. From the Aquarium will be: Dr. Scott Kraus, vice president of research; Dr. John Mandelman, director of research and a senior scientist; Dr. Kathleen Hunt, an expert in marine wildlife stress; and Dr. Randi Rotjan, a coral reef and hermit crab researcher.

Tickets are $50 and include exhibit admission, wine, appetizers, and dinner. Space is limited. Please RSVP online: http://bit.ly/1vSoDuA, call 207-315-2567 x112 or email Dana Wilson, dwilson@bigelow.org.