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| Microscope - what can we look at?; I need ideas! | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 24 2009, 01:00 PM (419 Views) | |
| kenny | Jan 24 2009, 03:55 PM Post #26 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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By "eyepiece angled out" do you mean the black upper portion that you look into can be angled back so it is easier to look into? |
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| dolmansaxlil | Jan 24 2009, 04:02 PM Post #27 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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That's exactly it, kenny. I just didn't know how to describe it.
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"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson My Flickr Photostream | |
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| kenny | Jan 24 2009, 05:34 PM Post #28 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Okay, I'm going to take the dimensions and start thinking about the design. This'll be fun. First there is safety. Cut coffee cans are sharp and a light bulb is glass, then there is electricity. I don't know crap about kids. I can smooth the sharp edges of the coffee can, insulate the electrical fixture like crazy, but can Liam be careful about not breaking an exposed glass bulb, or should I think about building in some kind of guard? This is the bulb it will have. ![]() Project caveat: the result is not guaranteed to provide enough light. High magnification and narrow-diameter optics eat light for breakfast. This light may be useable only at the lowest magnifications, which frankly are the most useful anyway. (BTW, I had a similar microscope when I was a kid too and LOVED it.) One advantage is the youth of the operator. My ophthalmologist told me we are all born with retinas that are populated with zillions of rods and cones, the microscopic transducers that convert light to electricity. They start dying off at birth. Every 14 years half of of the rods and cones die off in a healthy person. This would mean at age 14 you have only 50% of the rods and cones you were born with. At age 28 25% remain At age 42 12.5% remain. Age 56 6.25% remain. Age 70 3% remain. This is why older people lose their night driving privileges first. I am a light junky now. I love lots of light in my home and at work. I have a battery-powered headband LED thingie for piano work. Anyway, this gizmo may not provide enough light for me to use Liam's microscope but it may be fine for him. I enjoy helping kids discover stuff I'm passionate about. I remember when I stayed with Beelady. I showed her son he could figure out the chords for a Red Hot Chili Pepper song by himself, and even figure out the voicing and fingering on the guitar. He had no idea that was a possibility and that he had that skill. |
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| dolmansaxlil | Jan 24 2009, 05:50 PM Post #29 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I might get flogged for this, but don't panic too much about the safety aspect. Obviously, the major things should be dealt with, but if he cuts himself on the edge of a metal can, life will go on. He'll be fine with the exposed bulb - the only thing I'd worry a little bit about is the heat off the bulb - burns hurt so much, and it's so easy to touch something you shouldn't. Would that be a concern?Thank you SO MUCH, kenny! You're wonderful for helping us out with this! |
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"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson My Flickr Photostream | |
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| kenny | Jan 24 2009, 05:51 PM Post #30 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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This bulb does not get hot enough to burn you. You would flinch from the heat if you touched it, but you'd get no real burn. I'm wonderful. I know. |
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| dolmansaxlil | Jan 24 2009, 05:59 PM Post #31 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Perfect!! Then don't worry about the other stuff. I've never been a child-proofing nut, and he's still just fine. If it won't kill or seriously maim him, he'll be fine!
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"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson My Flickr Photostream | |
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He'll be fine with the exposed bulb - the only thing I'd worry a little bit about is the heat off the bulb - burns hurt so much, and it's so easy to touch something you shouldn't. Would that be a concern?
8:47 AM Jul 13