Microscopy is widely used today. Whether at schools, laboratories and even at homes, people own and use them for their purposes.  The demand of microscopes is increasing gradually and suppliers in the world market compete and bring out the latest trends of microscopes to meet the basic demands of the buyers. Manufacturers produce upgraded and high standards microscopes giving out the best to the users.

A microscope is an equipment used to generate a magnified image of an object too small to be seen with only a human eye. It has different types and each type has its own specific functions. Optical microscopes are far by the most generally used type of microscope especially in the fields of biological, medical, and geological research. They use and gather light in detecting miniature objects.  A compound monocular microscope is one of the optical microscopes made out of optical and mechanical constituents. It gives precise details to the specimen observed if handled carefully. Its efficiency depends on the quality of its parts and lenses.

Viewing through a monocular microscope is similar to how a person uses a telescope to view far objects. It allows one eye to examine the specimen and it is very easy to use once the instructions have been read and understood carefully. Most monocular microscopes today have the ideal and proper illumination for the specimen with the corresponding precision, disparity, and resolution.

Preparing the compound monocular microscope
Familiarizing the parts of a compound monocular microscope is the first and simplest step in using it successfully. Memorizing each part and getting to know some of the functions also help you get more comfortable while operating it. It should be placed on top of a sturdy and flat surface to avoid further difficulties when viewing the specimen. Placing the specimen in a slide and covering it afterwards with another slide helps protect the lenses in case they touch the slide. A slide should always be clipped with its stage clips.

Using the compound monocular microscope
With the monocular compound microscope ready for use, choosing the shortest turret or nosepiece allows to get a clearer view of the center of an image in the slide. Rotating the coarse focus knob permits the stage to shift up towards the objectives. It can go higher unless the slide is almost in contact with the objectives. Looking through the eyepiece, the illuminator and the diaphragm may be adjusted to the desired amount of light to be received in viewing the slide. To get clear images in every detail of the specimen in between the two slides, adjusting and readjusting the slide and moving the knob up and down are the simple steps to obtain them. Changing the objective lens to a higher power until the preferred image is clear enough. Following this simple procedure is already one single step up to become a scientist or perhaps a discoverer later in the future.

Precautions and general advice when using the compound monocular microscope
A rack stop is an important component in microscopes. Some compound monocular microscopes lack this special component and therefore thoroughly checking if yours has it or not. If none, careful handling should be done while adjusting and readjusting the objective lenses to avoid breaking the slide.

When looking through the eyepiece, only one eye should be observes the specimen while keeping the other eye open. It strains out the eyes if the other eye is closed.  Finally, viewing the slide in multiple lenses results in a back to front and upside down form. In addition, moving the slide to the left results in an image going to the right, and vice versa.

Maintaining your compound monocular microscope
Just like any other possessions, a compound monocular microscope should be handled with care. It may not last for a lifetime but it will surely prolong its services if properly used and regularly cleaned. After every use, the power lens should be returned to its right position. The stage should then be lowered to remove the slide. The plug connecting to the microscope may be removed from the outlet when not in use. Have it placed inside its container after using to avoid getting dust and other particles that might gradually destroy it.

Now that you have learned how to use the compound monocular microscope, you are now ready to observe the small things in enlarged images. With this tool, there are a lot of possibilities for you to discover new things. You can make your very own experiments that may lead to success once you have proven the facts through your personal compound monocular microscope.