M800x Microscope Set
How do I observe the specimen?
Sitting in your location with adequate
illumination chosen from the color
filter wheel, the following basic rules
should be observed: Start with a simple
observation at the lowest magnification.
Position the object or specimen in the
middle of the stage under the stage
clips (Fig. 6), centered over the lower
LED light (Fig. 10). Focus the image by
rotating the focus knob (Fig. 4) until a
clear image appears in the eyepiece.
NOTE:
The higher the magnification,
the more light you will require for a
good image quality.
Quick Fact - The item you want to
observe with the microscope is known
as the object or specimen.
Place the prepared slide directly under
the objective on the microscope stage
(Fig. 5) securing with the stage clips
(Fig 6). The prepared slide should
be located directly over the lower
illumination (Fig. 10). Look through the
eyepiece and carefully turn the focus
knob (Fig. 4) until the image appears
clear and sharp. Now you can select
a higher magnification by changing
the WF eyepiece to the 20X (Fig. 1).
When the WF 20X lens is inserted
in the barrel of the rotating head, the
magnification is doubled. Higher levels
of magnification can be achieved by
turning the objective turret (Fig. 8) to
a higher setting (10x or 40x). For best
results, return the WF 10x eyepiece
to the lowest power of magnification
before changing the power on the
turret. Replacing the WF 10x eyepiece
upon every rotation of the turret allows
for easier transitions in magnification.
Following this procedure creates
a steady increase of magnification
without overpowering the view of the
object. The following magnifications
should be considered: 40x, 80x, 100x,
200x, 400x, then 800x.
Each time the magnification changes
(due to an eyepiece or objective change),
the image sharpness must be readjusted
with the focus knob (Fig. 4). When doing
this, be careful because if you move
the microscope stage too quickly, the
objective and the slide could come into
contact and cause damage to the slide
or microscope.
For transparent objects (e.g., protozoa),
light is projected by the lower LED light,
traveling from below the stage, through
the objective and eyepiece, and finally
into your eye. This process of light
transmission is known as microscopy.
Many microorganisms found in water,
plant components, and the smallest
animal parts are transparent in nature.
Opaque specimens, on the other hand,
will need to be prepared for viewing.
Opaque specimens can be made
transparent by a process of treatment
and penetration with the correct
materials (media), or by slicing. You can
read more about creating specimens in
the following experiment sections.
Cleaning Tips
Ensure your microscope has a long
service life. Clean the lens (objective
and eyepiece) only with a soft lint-free
cloth (e.g., microfiber). Do not press
hard as this might scratch the lens. Ask
your parents to help if your microscope
is really dirty. The cleaning cloth should
be moistened with cleaning fluid
and the lens wiped clean using little
pressure. Make sure your microscope
is always protected against dust and
dirt. After use, leave it in a warm room
to dry, then return it to the carrying case
provided.
This microscope can be the gateway
to a fun, creative, learning process
and will open the door to advanced
knowledge of the world around you.
Allowing you to explore the various
fields of science from Biology to Botany
to Chemistry and beyond, so have fun
exploring the exciting world of science.
Experiment Instructions
WARNING!
• Keep chemicals and corrosive liquids
out of the reach of children!
• Do not Ingest any chemicals!
• Wash your hands with soap thoroughly
under running water after use!
Introduction
Here are a few tips about how to take
a better look at the wonderful world
of microorganisms and crystals. For
example, you’ll learn how to prepare
your object / specimen so that you
can look at it with the microscope.
The numerous experiments described
should make you curious and want to
use your microscope more.
What Kind of Objects?
With a magnifying glass, you can
look at non-transparent (i.e. opaque)
objects, for example, small animals,
parts of plants, tissues, etc. Here,
the light falls onto the object and is
reflected back through the magnifying
lens and into your eye. With your
microscope, however, you can also
observe transparent objects, in which
the light from the lamp goes through the
opening on the stage and the prepared
specimen. Then, it passes through the
objective, the body of the microscope
and through the eyepiece into the eye.
Many microorganisms in water, parts of
plants and the tiniest animal parts are
naturally transparent. For other things,
you must make them transparent
through a treatment or penetration with
the right materials (media), or by taking
the thinnest slices from them using
your hand or a specimen slicer (not
included) to be able to examine them
with your microscope. You’ll now find
out how this is done.
How to Produce Thin Specimen Slices
WARNING:
Only do this with an adult’s supervision!
Ask your parents to help you! As already
mentioned, you need to get the thinnest
slices possible from an object so that
they are transparent and can be looked
at under the microscope. First, you’ll
need a simple candle. Place the wax
from the candle in an old pot and heat
it on the stovetop until it becomes liquid.
Now, use tweezers (Fig. 24) to dip the
object in the liquid wax a few times.
Attention: The wax is very hot! Be
careful. After each dip, allow the wax to
harden and then dip the object into the
wax again. When the wax around the
object has hardened completely, you
can use a specimen slicer to cut thin
slices from it. These slices are to be laid
on a slide and covered with a cover slip
or slide cover (Fig. 18).
The Production of Specimens
There are two basic types of specimens:
Permanent specimens and short-term
specimens.
Short-term Specimens
Short-term specimens are produced
from objects that you want to look at,
but don’t want to keep in your specimen
collection. These specimens are only
meant to be observed for a short period
of time, after which they are disposed
of. For short-term specimens, place the
object on the slide and place a cover
slip on top of it. After looking at the
object, clean the slide and the cover
slip. One of the secrets of successful
observation with your microscope is
the use of clean slides and cover slips.
Spots or stains would only distract you
when looking at an object.
Need help? Call us toll-free at 855-863-4426.
No recognizable image
No Image
No Light
Turn on light
Readjust focus
Start with the
Lowest power objective (4X)
Lowest power Eyepiece (10X)
Center object on slide under
Start with the
Lowest power objective (4X)
Lowest power Eyepiece (10X)
Replace batteries
Check on/off position
Troubleshooting Table
Problem
Solution
