Exploring with Microscopes

Taking a closer look at our world

Microscopes let us view an invisible world – the objects around us that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Learn more about how microscopes work and how they can shed light on plant structure, cells, earthquake processes and more.

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Magnification and resolution

Microscopes enhance our sense of sight. They make things appear bigger (magnify them) and increase the level of detail we can see (resolution).

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Animal cells and their shapes

Animal cells come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. We can learn a lot about what a cell does by looking at its shape.

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Harakeke under the microscope

Microscopes were important in recent research on harakeke (native New Zealand flax) at the University of Otago. Scientists and weavers worked together to compare the microscopic qualities of harakeke...

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Squishy rocks and earthquakes

Deep below the Earth’s surface, rocks get ‘squished’ under pressure (instead of breaking), but can this tell us anything about how earthquakes happen? Professor Dave Prior from the University...

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