The stage is a platform where you will place your slides for viewing. The arm is the portion that connects the base to the eyepiece. The objective is the piece that magnifies the image. There are multiple objectives of varying magnifications. There are two focus knobs: coarse and fine focus. The coarse focus knob is usually a large knob on the side of the microscope that moves the objective lens towards or away from the slide. It allows you to find your specimen and roughly focus on it. The fine focus is a smaller knob that is used to focus specifically on the specimen. It allows you to fine tune what you’re looking at under the microscope. [2] X Research source The light source is on the base of the microscope and points up toward the stage. It provides the light for image viewing. The diaphragm is just underneath the stage and allows you to vary the amount of light shining on your image.

Carry the microscope below the base and on the arm. Never pick it up solely by the arm. [3] X Research source Place the microscope on the table and plug it in.

Store your manual with your microscope so you can reference it easily. If you have misplaced your manual, try searching for a downloadable version of the manual on the website for the maker of the microscope. If you can’t find one online, contact the company directly and see if you can have another one mailed to you.

Keep your hands and the area you’re working as free of dirt and contaminating particles as possible.

Never use paper towels with the slides. These leave a lot of lint behind. If you are wearing gloves you can touch the slide, but try to only pick up slides by their sides.

To prepare your own slide, obtain a specimen you’d like to look at in more detail. Pond water or pollen are great samples to start with. Drop a small drop of the water or place a few spores of the pollen directly onto the slide. Place a cover slip at a 45-degree angle to the slide and gently let it fall on top of the slide. The water should hold the coverslip in place. [5] X Research source To preserve samples for longer, add a bit of clear nail polish around the edges of the slide to secure the coverslip in place.

If the slide is dirty, wipe it gently with the lint-free cloth.

Avoid forcing the slides underneath the clips. They should raise up slightly to allow the slide in. If you are struggling, try getting the slide under one clip at a time. Raise the clip, slip the slide underneath, and proceed to the second clip. Slides are quite fragile and can be broken if this step is not done properly.

If you don’t see any light, try adjusting the diaphragm until it is open all the way. The diaphragm should have a lever or disc that spins to alter its diameter and change the amount of light coming through. If the diaphragm is closed, you won’t see any light. Move the lever or spin the disc until you see light coming through again. If there is still no light, check the outlet or ask for assistance to change the light bulb in the scope.

If you see two images when you look through the eyepieces, you need to continue to adjust the distance. Move the eyepieces closer together or further apart until you see a single circle of light. Remove your glasses, if you wear them. You can use the microscope’s settings to focus the object according to your sight.

Move the lever or spin the disc until the diaphragm is all the way open.

The low power objective gives you the widest view, and allows you to slowly bring the object into focus without missing it. It is often called the scanning objective for this reason. Starting at the high power objective may mean that you don’t see the object or you don’t see the full object. The two most common high power objectives are the 10x and 40x. The eyepiece has a 10x magnification that is multiplied by the magnification of the objective; therefore, the 4x objective gives you a total magnification of 40x (10 times 4). The 10x objective gives you a magnification of 100x and the 40x objective, a 400x magnification.

Remember, the magnification is mirrored, so you will need to move it the opposite direction on the stage to adjust it properly in your lens.

Use the fine adjustment knob to focus the slide further. Be aware that as you focus, the stage rises closer to the objective. It is possible to raise the stage enough to touch some of the objective lenses, so take care during the focusing process to avoid this. Adjust the diaphragm below the stage. Reducing the light may allow the object to look more rich and less washed out. [10] X Research source

Use caution when switching between objectives to avoid breaking the slide. Use the fine adjustment knob when working with the higher objectives, such as the 10x option. Because the coarse knob moves the objectives closer to the stage, the slide can crack if you’re not paying attention. Switch between different objectives and adjust the focus knobs until you are comfortable using the microscope. Try using different slides to increase your practice.