Why do we put telescopes in orbit? The Earth's atmosphere stops most types of electromagnetic radiation from space from reaching Earth's surface. This illustration shows how far into the atmosphere different parts of the EM spectrum can go before being absorbed. Only portions of radio and visible light reach the surface. (Credit: STScI/JHU/NASA) Most electromagnetic radiation from space is unable to reach the surface of the Earth. Radio frequencies, visible light and some ultraviolet light makes it to sea level. Astronomers can observe some infrared wavelengths by putting telescopes on mountain tops. Balloon experiments can reach 35 km above the surface and can operate for months. Rocket flights can take instruments all the way above the Earth's atmosphere, but only for a few minutes before they fall back to Earth. For long-term observations, however, it is best to have your detector on an orbiting satellite and get above it all! Updated: March 2013

Gamma ray: Doctors use gamma-ray imaging to see inside your body. The biggest gamma-ray generator of all is the Universe.

Principle of microscopediagram

Illuminator: A built-in light source (110 volts) that replaces a mirror. If your microscope has a mirror instead, it reflects external light up through the stage.

Objective Lenses: Typically, microscopes have 3 or 4 lenses with powers like 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x. When combined with a 10x eyepiece, they provide total magnification from 40x to 1000x. Higher magnifications require a good microscope with an Abbe condenser to focus light properly. Objective lenses are color-coded, often built to DIN standards for interchangeability, and may have retractable ends to protect the lens and slide.

Microwave: Microwave radiation will cook your popcorn in just a few minutes, but is also used by astronomers to learn about the structure of nearby galaxies.

The primary factor to consider is the type and size of the specimen you want to examine. Different microscopes excel in visualising specific types of samples.

Are radio waves completely different physical objects than gamma-rays? They are produced in different processes and are detected in different ways, but they are not fundamentally different. Radio waves, gamma-rays, visible light, and all the other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are electromagnetic radiation.

Principlesofmicroscopy PDF

Microscopes utilise a combination of lenses to magnify objects. Light from an illuminator passes through the specimen (the object being studied) and then through a series of lenses. These lenses work together to bend and focus the light, creating a magnified virtual image of the specimen.

Simplemicroscope

A microscope is a scientific instrument designed to magnify objects far too small to be observed by the naked eye. It enables us to visualize the intricate details of cells, tissues, microorganisms, and other minute structures.

Condenser Lens: Focuses light onto the specimen, especially useful at high magnifications (400x and above). An Abbe condenser lens is essential for sharp images at 1000x and can be adjusted depending on the power used.

Diaphragm (Iris): A rotating disk under the stage with different-sized holes to control the intensity and size of the light cone projected onto the slide. Adjust it based on the specimen’s transparency and the contrast you need.

Ultraviolet: Ultraviolet radiation is emitted by the Sun and are the reason skin tans and burns. "Hot" objects in space emit UV radiation as well.

Principle of microscopein microbiology

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation. Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes – the visible light that comes from a lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a radio station are two types of electromagnetic radiation. The other types of EM radiation that make up the electromagnetic spectrum are microwaves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma-rays.

Electromagnetic radiation can be described in terms of a stream of mass-less particles, called photons, each traveling in a wave-like pattern at the speed of light. Each photon contains a certain amount of energy. The different types of radiation are defined by the the amount of energy found in the photons. Radio waves have photons with low energies, microwave photons have a little more energy than radio waves, infrared photons have still more, then visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and, the most energetic of all, gamma-rays.

The Earth's atmosphere stops most types of electromagnetic radiation from space from reaching Earth's surface. This illustration shows how far into the atmosphere different parts of the EM spectrum can go before being absorbed. Only portions of radio and visible light reach the surface. (Credit: STScI/JHU/NASA)

You know more about the electromagnetic spectrum than you may think. The image below shows where you might encounter each portion of the EM spectrum in your day-to-day life.

For those seeking quality and reliability, the Labomed Binocular Microscope - Halogen Box of 1 Unit is an excellent option, offering advanced features suitable for both educational and research purposes.

Typesof microscope

Infrared and optical astronomers generally use wavelength. Infrared astronomers use microns (millionths of a meter) for wavelengths, so their part of the EM spectrum falls in the range of 1 to 100 microns. Optical astronomers use both angstroms (0.00000001 cm, or 10-8 cm) and nanometers (0.0000001 cm, or 10-7 cm). Using nanometers, violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red light have wavelengths between 400 and 700 nanometers. (This range is just a tiny part of the entire EM spectrum, so the light our eyes can see is just a little fraction of all the EM radiation around us.)

The electromagnetic spectrum from lowest energy/longest wavelength (at the top) to highest energy/shortest wavelength (at the bottom). (Credit: NASA's Imagine the Universe)

Infrared: Night vision goggles pick up the infrared light emitted by our skin and objects with heat. In space, infrared light helps us map the dust between stars.

Principle ofcompoundmicroscope

Astronomers who study radio waves tend to use wavelengths or frequencies. Most of the radio part of the EM spectrum falls in the range from about 1 cm to 1 km, which is 30 gigahertz (GHz) to 300 kilohertz (kHz) in frequencies. The radio is a very broad part of the EM spectrum.

The short answer is that scientists don't like to use numbers any bigger or smaller than they have to. It is much easier to say or write "two kilometers" than "two thousand meters." Generally, scientists use whatever units are easiest for the type of EM radiation they work with.

Most electromagnetic radiation from space is unable to reach the surface of the Earth. Radio frequencies, visible light and some ultraviolet light makes it to sea level. Astronomers can observe some infrared wavelengths by putting telescopes on mountain tops. Balloon experiments can reach 35 km above the surface and can operate for months. Rocket flights can take instruments all the way above the Earth's atmosphere, but only for a few minutes before they fall back to Earth.

Principlesofmicroscopy notes

Stage with Stage Clips: The flat platform where you place your slides. Stage clips hold the slides in place. If your microscope has a mechanical stage, you can move the slide left, right, up, and down using two knobs.

Radio: Your radio captures radio waves emitted by radio stations, bringing your favorite tunes. Radio waves are also emitted by stars and gases in space.

Applicationof microscope

The wavelengths of ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray regions of the EM spectrum are very small. Instead of using wavelengths, astronomers that study these portions of the EM spectrum usually refer to these photons by their energies, measured in electron volts (eV). Ultraviolet radiation falls in the range from a few electron volts to about 100 eV. X-ray photons have energies in the range 100 eV to 100,000 eV (or 100 keV). Gamma-rays then are all the photons with energies greater than 100 keV.

Microscopes have transformed science and medicine by allowing us to see the invisible. Whether you're selecting a Dental Microscope for precise dental procedures or choosing a microscope for research, understanding their types, functions, and features will help you pick the right one, whether you're a beginner or conducting advanced research.

Rack Stop: This adjustment limits how close the objective lens can get to the slide, preventing damage. It's factory-set but can be adjusted if needed, particularly when using thin slides.

X-ray: A dentist uses X-rays to image your teeth, and airport security uses them to see through your bag. Hot gases in the Universe also emit X-rays.

If you’re looking for a high-quality microscope with advanced features, the Olympus Biological Microscope - Binocular LED (MX 21i) is an excellent choice, offering precision and durability for both educational and professional use.

The Earth's atmosphere stops most types of electromagnetic radiation from space from reaching Earth's surface. This illustration shows how far into the atmosphere different parts of the EM spectrum can go before being absorbed. Only portions of radio and visible light reach the surface. (Credit: STScI/JHU/NASA)

Electromagnetic radiation can be expressed in terms of energy, wavelength, or frequency. Frequency is measured in cycles per second, or Hertz. Wavelength is measured in meters. Energy is measured in electron volts. Each of these three quantities for describing EM radiation are related to each other in a precise mathematical way. But why have three ways of describing things, each with a different set of physical units?

Microscopes are powerful tools that allow us to explore the microscopic world, revealing intricate details invisible to the naked eye. They are essential in fields like biology, medicine, materials science, and forensics. This blog post will delve into the fascinating world of microscopes, exploring their definition, working principles, various types, key features, and advanced functionalities. By the end, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of these powerful tools for magnifying and studying the unseen world.

A service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Andy Ptak (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/GSFC