Fun with UC’s Electron Microscope!

Thanks to David Rosenthal, director at Prairie Gallery, and the organizing efforts of the amazing Anjali Alm-Basu, I and a couple of UC photo students had the privilege to ‘play around’ with one of the University of Cincinnati’s electron microscopes.  Check out the (amazing!) results below:

Leaf no. 2, 500x Magnification

Housefly, 30x Magnification

Leaf no. 2, 50x Magnification

Housefly Wing, 1200x Magnification

Leaf no. 2, 350x Magnification

Butterfly Wing, 28x Magnification

Butterfly Wing, 80x Magnification

Butterfly Wing, 350x Magnification

Butterfly Wing, 1000x Magnification

Butterfly Wing, 5000x Magnification

Butterfly Wing, 15000x Magnification

Butterfly Wing, Closeup on Damage, 6500x Magnification

Gingko Leaf, 50x Magnification

Gingko Leaf, 200x Magnification

Gingko Leaf, 1500x Magnification

Seed Pod, 200x Magnification

Seed Pod, 150x Magnification

Lacewing Fly, 500x Magnification

Lacewing Fly, 650x Magnification

Lacewing Fly, 350x Magnification

Housefly, 1000x Magnification

Housefly, 3500x Magnification

Housefly Wing, 12000x Magnification

Leaf no. 2, 65x Magnification

Housefly’s Back, 3500 Magnification

Leaf No. 2, 3500x Magnification

In the final photo in the gallery, the leaf is disintegrating.  If the examined organic matter contains too much water, it may break down when the microscope focuses too closely.  When we zoomed in to 3500x, this part of the leaf began to fall apart rapidly.

It’s mind-blowing, what exists beyond what our eyes can see, beyond what the frequency of regular light can see.  This was one of those moments where you realize that there are universes upon universes that we can only imagine thanks to the ability of technology.  In the contents beneath your refrigerator alone, there is a continent’s worth of image-making to be had.

If I were allowed, I would explore with the electron microscope all day.  :)