MICSCAPE
(ISSN 1365 - 070x)

Exploring the miniature world

Issue 196: February 2012.
Next update March 13th.

 

 

The image left shows a Messter / Berlin 'Universal Bacteria Microscope'
taken by Fritz Schulze.

 

 

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About Micscape

 
Issue 196 - February 2012 : Articles this month

Micscape Contacts
Micscape Editor:
David Walker
Comments on Micscape and
contributions welcomed.

Micscape submission guidelines .

Microscopy-UK
parent site coordinator:
Maurice Smith

The Messter / Berlin 'Universal Bacteria microscope' - Fritz Schulze (Canada) describes a microscope model made by a less well known maker.

A close-up view of a 'hen and chicks' hybrid - Brian Johnston (Canada) illustrates the macro and micro features of this plant.

A camera stand for photomicroscopy - Michael Much (USA) describes and illustrates a versatile design. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

Euplectella aspergillum: Part IV. Vandalism on a glass sponge - Richard Howey (USA) continues his series on aspects of this fascinating organism.

A seamless wide field substage condenser (part 2). Optimising light levels and image quality - Paul James (UK) continues his development of a versatile variant of substage condenser.

The Carl Zeiss LUCIGEN illuminator - Fritz Schulze (Canada) describes a less well known substage illumination system.

Picnic beetle up close - Anthony Thomas (Canada) shares an illustrated article exploring this attractive insect on the macro and micro scale. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

The stereo microscope: Introduction and background. 2nd edition - R Jordan Kreindler (USA) presents an expanded and revised edition of the article first presented in December 2011. Expanded sections include the CMO stereo design by Zeiss that significantly predates the American Optical Cycloptic. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

In Focus:

'J D Hooker slide collection' of 'unregistered fossil plants' found in a British Geological Survey storage 'vault'. A set of microscope slides which include slides owned by Charles Darwin of specimens from his 'Beagle' voyage. The collection also includes some early thin section petrology slides by Nichol. The link above includes an online gallery of the slides as well as the background to their discovery.
At base of above webpage is a link to a downloadable illustrated article reprinted from Geology Today written by Howard J Falcon-Lang, the university researcher who found the slides.
With thanks to the Yahoo amateur microscopy forum member who spotted and reported the news item.

Meeting: "The Leeds Microscopical Society is having its annual meeting in Morley on Sat 2nd June 2012. The theme this year is "Rocks, crystals & polarised light".
Anyone wanting to book a table (sales or display) should contact me at mikesmith_ls176sh@yahoo.co.uk or phone 0113 2935991. Many thanks Mike Smith, Hon Sec." With thanks to Mike for the information.

       

We are delighted to receive contributions small or large from microscopy enthusiasts whether a novice or expert. If you have an image, tip or article, why not share it, this magazine is what you make it! Have a chat with us , to see how we can help share your interests. Submission guidelines .
Archive
Look for that elusive article on our site:
Micscape Magazine past issues online (read articles online using the original illustrated index for each month).
Article Library (browse articles by category)
Automated Search (a search engine for keyword searches in all articles)
Contributor index (a list of all Micscape contributors to date)
News - special notices - misc.

Meeting: "The Leeds Microscopical Society is having its annual meeting in Morley on Sat 2nd June 2012. The theme this year is "Rocks, crystals & polarised light".
Anyone wanting to book a table (sales or display) should contact me at mikesmith_ls176sh@yahoo.co.uk or phone 0113 2935991. Many thanks Mike Smith, Hon Sec." With thanks to Mike for the information.
External links. Below are some of our favourites, which includes sites with extensive links and/or resources for the optical microscopy enthusiast.

External Microscopy forums:
Places to discuss the hobby or to raise queries.

www.amateurmicrography.net forums, galleries, articles on macroscopy and photomicrography.

www.quekett.net/forum/index.php forum for both Quekett Microscopical Club members and other enthusiasts.

Newsgroups
sci.techniques.microscopy (spoilt by excessive spam nowadays)

Yahoo groups: a ' P' denotes current and archived messages are public i.e. not limited to members.
'Amateur Microscopy' P (started November2008)
'Yahoo Diatom Forum' P
' Microscope 'P (>1500 members, very active)
' Microscopes '
'Microscopehobby' P (started Apr 2005)
'RealMicroscopy' P (started Sep 2005)
' Óptica Roma foro Microscopía' for Spanish speakers
' Wild M20 microscope '
' Nikon Coolpix photomicro and macrophoto '
' microcosmo ' ( for Italian speaking enthusiasts)
' CombineZ ' P stacking software forum created by the software's author

Mikroskopie-Treff.de (Extensive German microscopy forum; some English categories.)
Mikrobiologische Vereinigung München e. V. W ide range of articles and resources in German.
Le Naturaliste French based forum and image gallery for micro / macro but open to non French speaking international contributors.

Other sites
Beyond Magazine science, microscopy for youngsters
Clubs / Socs (Pro/Am) Mic-UK links page
Light Microscopy Forum links and articles
Little Imp Publications public domain books on CD. (Hosted by Savona Books).
Mikroskop Museum German website with resources on microscopes / makers .
Molecular Expressions awesome optical microscopy resources
Dennis Kunkel's SEM images stunning images
Diatoms Ireland - resource site by Leszek Wolnik
Leitz museum an illustrated resource compiled by Robert Allen
Microbe hunter a free monthly microscopy enthusiast magazine edited by Oliver Kim
Microscopies online magazine and Forum for French speakers
Micrographia articles, projects for the enthusiast
Microscopy Today paper journal with online archive
Modern Microscopy online journal by McCrone Group
Fun Science Gallery projects, articles on optics
G. Couger's microscopy links extensive links
Society for Amateur Scientists resources and support
A Cabinet of Curiosities a resource on Victorian microscope slides by Howard Lynk
www.viewsfromscience.com projects e.g. chilled stage for crystal growth studies and LED fluorescence
'Diatoms Ireland' resource by Leszek Wolnik
Historical makers of microscopes and microscope slides Brian Stevenson's extensive resource on Victorian slide makers

Web rings
Lightscapes polarised light macroscopy/microscopy, both artistic and scientific.

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Micscape is a free magazine for enthusiasts funded by Microscopy-UK and dedicated to non-commercial microscopy.
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