Question:
A stage micrometer can be used to measure specimens observed
under the microscope. Is this done by measuring the field of view in each
objective? And then using these distances to estimate the size of the
specimen?
Replies:
Usually a stage micrometer, that is a calibrated set of marks on
a slide that can be viewed through a microscope, is used to calibrate the
scale on a micrometer that inserts into the ocular (eyepiece) of the
microscope. Then to measure you simply count the divisions in the ocular
micrometer which are superimposed on your view of the specimen and use the
calibration factor to calculate the actual dimension. There are fancy
(translate expensive) stages that move in calibrated amounts that can do the
same thing. You can also make very accurate measurements by making a video
image and digitizing it for use with computer image analysis software.
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