NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 40X-640X Microscope Instruction Manual
- June 14, 2024
- NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Table of Contents
- NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 40X-640X Microscope Instruction Manual
- General Warnings
- Parts overview
- Smartphone holder
- Condition and prepare viewed objects
- Experiments
- Warranty and Service
- Read More About This Manual & Download PDF:
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 40X-640X Microscope Instruction Manual
WARNING:
Choking hazard — This product contains small parts that could be swallowed by
children.
This poses a choking hazard.
Visit our website via the following QR Code or web link to find further
information on this product or the available translations of these
instructions.
WARNING!
Contains functional sharp edges and points.
Choking hazard – small parts. Not for children under three years.
MANUAL DOWNLOAD:
General Warnings
- Choking hazard — This product contains small parts that could be swallowed by children. This poses a choking hazard.
- Risk of electric shock — This device contains electronic components that operate via a power source (power supply and/or batteries). Only use the device as described in the manual, otherwise you run the risk of an electric shock.
- Risk of fire/explosion — Do not expose the device to high temperatures. Use only the recommended batteries. Do not short-circuit the device or batteries, or throw them into a fire. Excessive heat or improper handling could trigger a short-circuit, a fire or an explosion.
- Risk of chemical burn — Make sure you insert the batteries correctly. Empty or damaged batteries could cause burns if they come into contact with the skin. If necessary, wear adequate gloves for protection.
- Do not disassemble the device. In the event of a defect, please contact your dealer. The dealer will contact the Service Centre and can send the device in to be repaired, if necessary.
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- Tools with sharp edges are often used when working with this device. Because there is a risk of injury from such tools, store this device and all tools and accessories in a location that is out of the reach of children.
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Parts overview
- Eyepiece
- Focus knob
- Objective turret
- Stage
- On/off switch ( illumination)
- Electronic light source
- Base with battery compartment
- Battery compartment
- Cover plates
- Prepared slides
- Reservoir
- Microscope instruments
- Wheel with pinhole apertures
- Measuring cup
- Hatchery
- MicroCut
- Smartphone holder
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1. What is a microscope?
A microscope contains two lens systems: the eyepiece and the objective. We’re
presenting these systems as one lens each so that the concept is easier to
understand. In reality, however, the eyepiece (1) and the objective in the
turret (3) are made up of multiple lenses.
The lower lens (objective) produces a magnified image of the prepared specimen
(10). The picture, which you can’t see, is magnified once more by the second
lens (eyepiece, 1), which you can see as the ‘micro-scope picture’.
2. Assembly and location
Before you start, choose an ideal location for using your microscope. It’s
important that you choose a spot with enough light for normal observation.
Furthermore, it is recommended that you place the microscope on a stable
surface, because a shaky surface will not lead to satisfactory results.
3. Normal observation
For normal observation, place the microscope in a bright location (near a
window or desk lamp, for example).
Turn the focus knob (2) to the upper stop, and set the objectiveturret (3) to
the lowest magnification.
Now, turn on the light using the switch on the microscope base. You’ll find
further tips about the light source in the next section. Now, place a prepared
slide (10) under the clips on the stage (4), directly under the objective
(1). When you take a look through the eyepiece, you can see the magnified
specimen. At this point, you still might see a slightly fuzzy picture. Adjust
the image sharpness by slowly turning the focus knob (2). You can now select a
higher magnification by turning the objective turret and selecting a different
objective.
When you do so, note that the sharpness of the picture must be adjusted again
for the higher magnification. Also, the higher the magnification, the more
light you will need for good illumination of the picture.
The wheel with pinhole apertures (13) below the microscope stage (4) will help
you in viewing very bright or clear-sighted preparations. Turn the wheel (13)
till the best contrast is achieved.
4. Observation (electronic light source)
For observation with the electronic light source (6) you need to insert 2 AA
batteries 1.5 V, in the battery compartment (8) on the base of the microscope
(7). The battery compartment is opened using a Phillips screwdriver. Insert
the batteries with the correct polarity (+/- indication). Put the battery
cover first into the small opening so that the lid fits perfectly. Now you
can tighten the screw. The lighting is switched on when you turn the switch on
the microscope base. Now you can observe in the same way as described in the
previous section.
TIP: The higher the magnification you use the more light is required for a
good illumination of the picture.
Therefore, always start your experiments with a low magnification.
Smartphone holder
Attach the smartphone holder to the eyepiece.
The suction cups must be clean and free from dust and dirt. A slight
moistening is helpful.
Now press your smartphone on the retaining plate and make sure that it is
properly secured.
As a backup, you should secure it with the enclosed rubber strap.
Smartphones with a rough surface will not hold as good as smartphones with a
smooth surface.
Now start the Camera app.
The camera needs to rest just above the eyepiece. Center the smartphone
exactly over the eyepiece, so the image can be seen precisely centered on your
screen.
In some cases you need to adjust with the zoom function to display the image
fullscreen. A light shading at the edges is possible.
Take the smartphone carefully off the holder after use.
NOTE:
Make sure that the smartphone can not slip out of the holder.
Bresser GmbH assumes no liability for any damages caused by a dropped
smartphone.
Condition and prepare viewed objects
6.1. Condition
This microscope features transmitted light, so that transparent specimens can
be examined. If opaque specimens are being examined, the light from below goes
through the specimen, lens and eyepiece to the eye and is magnified en route
(direct light principle). Some small water organisms, plant parts and animal
components are transparent by nature, but many others require pretreatment —
that is, you need to make a thinnest possible slice of the object by hand
cutting or using a microtome, and then examine this sample.
6.2. Creation of thin preparation cuts
Specimens should be sliced as thin as possible. A little wax or paraffin is
needed to achieve the best results. Put the wax into a heat-safe bowl and heat
it over a flame until the wax is melted. You can use a candle flame to melt
the wax.
DANGER!
Be exremely carfeful when dealing with hot wax, as there is a danger of being
burned.
Then, dip the specimen several times in the liquid wax. Allow the wax that
encases the specimen to harden.
Use a MicroCut or other small knife or scalpel to make very thin slices of the
object in its wax casing.
DANGER!
Be extremely careful when using the MicroCut, knife or scalpel. These
instruments are very sharp and pose a risk of injury.
Place the slices on a glass slide and cover them with another slide before
attempting to view them with the microscope.
6.3. Creation of your own preparation
Put the object to be observed on a glass slide and cover the object with a
drop of distilled water using the pipette (12).
Set a cover glass (available at a well-stocked hobby shop) perpendicular to
the edge of the water drop, so that the water runs along the edge of the cover
glass. Now lower now the cover glass slowly over the water drop.
Experiments
Now that you’re familiar with your microscope’s functions and how to prepare slides, you can complete the following experiments and observe the results under your microscope.
7.1. How do You Raise Brine Shrimp?
Accessories (from your microscope set):
- Shrimp eggs
- Sea salt,
- Hatchery,
- Yeast.
The Life Cycle of Brine Shrimp
Brine shrimp, or “Artemia salina,” as they are called by scientists, have an
unusual and interesting life cycle. The eggs produced by the female are
hatched without ever being fertilized by a male shrimp. The shrimp that hatch
from these eggs are all females. In unusual circumstances, e.g. when the marsh
dries up, the male shrimp can hatch. These males fertilize the eggs of the
females and from this mating, special eggs come about. These eggs, so-called
“winter eggs,” have a thick shell, which protects them. The winter eggs are
very resistant and capable of survival if the marsh or lake dries out, killing
off the entire shrimp population. They can persist for 5-10 years in a “sleep”
status. The eggs hatch when the proper environmental conditions are
reproduced. These are the type of eggs you have in your microscope set.
The Incubation of the Brine Shrimp
In order to incubate the shrimp, you first need to create a salt solution that
corresponds to the living conditions of the shrimp. For this, put a half liter
of rain or tap water in a container. Let the water sit for approx. 30 hours.
Since the water evaporates over time, it is advisable to fill a second
container with water and let it sit for 36 hours. After the water has sat
stagnant for this period of time, add half of the included sea salt to the
container and stir it until all of the salt is dissolved. Now, put a few eggs
in the container and cover it with a dish. Place the glass container in a
bright location, but don’t put it in direct sunlight. Since you have a
hatchery, you cal also add the salt solution along with a few eggs to each of
the four compartments of the tank. The temperature should be around 25º. At
this temperature, the shrimps will hatch in about 2-3 days. If the water in
the glass evaporates, add some water from the second container.
The Brine Shrimp under the Microscope
The animal that hatches from the egg is known by the name “nauplius larva.”
With the help of a pipette, you can place a few of these larvae on a glass
slide and observe them. The larvae will move around in the salt water by
using their hair-like appendages. Take a few larvae from the container each
day and observe them under the microscope. In case you’ve hatched the larvae
in a hatchery, simply take off the cover of the tank and place the tank on the
stage. Depending on the room temperature, the larvae will be mature in 6-10
weeks. Soon, you will have had raised a whole generation of brine shrimp,
which will constantly grow in numbers.
Feeding your Brine Shrimp
In order to keep the brine shrimp alive, they must be fed from time to time,
of course. This must be done carefully, since overfeeding can make the water
become foul and poison our shrimp population. The feeding is done with dry
yeast in powdered form. A little bit of this yeast every second day is enough.
If the water in the compartments of the hatchery or your container turns dark,
that is a sign that it is gone bad. Take the shrimp out of the water right
away and place them in a fresh salt solution.
Warning!
The shrimp eggs and the shrimp are not meant to be eaten!
7.2. Textile fibres Objects and accessories:
- Threads of different textiles: Cotton, linen, wool, silk, Celanese, nylon and any others you can find.
- Two needles: Put each thread on a glass slide and fray each with the help of the two needles. Put a drop of water over each thread with the pipette and cover each with a cover glass. Adjust the microscope to a low magnification. Cotton fibres are of plant origin and look, under the microscope, like a flat, twisted band. The fibres are thicker and rounder at the edges than in the centre. Cotton fibres consist primarily of long, collapsed tubes. Linen fibres are also of plant origin; they are round and run in straight lines. The fibres shine like silk and exhibit numerous swellings along the shaft of the fibre. Silk is of animal origin and consists of solid fibres of smaller diameter than the hollow vegetable fibres. Each silk fibre is smooth and even and has the appearance of a small glass rod. Wool fibres are also of animal origin; the surface consists of overlapping scales, which appear broken and wavy. If possible, compare wool fibres from different weaving mills, and note the differences in the appearance of the fibres. Experts can determine the country of origin of wool based on its appearance under a microscope. Celanese is artificially manufactured by a long chemical process. All Celanese fibres show hard, dark lines on a smooth, shining surface. The fibres crinkle in the same way after drying. Observe the similarities and differences between the different fibres.
Notes on Cleaning
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* Before cleaning the device, disconnect it from the power supply by removing the plug or batteries.
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- Only use a dry cloth to clean the exterior of the device. To avoid damaging the electronics, do not use any cleaning fluid.
- Protect the device from dust and moisture.
- The batteries should be removed from the unit if it has not been used for a long time.
- Only use a dry cloth to clean the exterior of the device. To avoid damaging the electronics, do not use any cleaning fluid.
EC Declaration of Conformity
Bresser GmbH has issued a “Declaration of Conformity” in accordance with
applicable guidelines and corresponding standards. The full text of the EU
declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address:
www.bresser.de/download/9118300/CE/9118300_CE.pdf
UKCA Declaration of Conformity
Bresser GmbH has issued a „Declaration of Conformity“ in accordance with
applicable guidelines and corresponding standards. The full text of the UKCA
declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address:
www.bresser.de/download/9119000/UKCA/9119000_UKCA.pdf
Bresser UK Ltd. • Suite 3G, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8
6HF, Great Britain
Disposal
Dispose of the packaging materials properly, according to their type, such as
paper or cardboard.
Contact your local waste-disposal service or environmental authority for
information on the proper disposal.
Do not dispose of electronic devices in the household garbage!
As per Directive 2012/19/EC of the European Parliament on waste electrical and
electronic equipment and its adaptation into German law, used electronic
devices must be collected separately and recycled in an environmentally
friendly manner.
Empty, old batteries must be disposed of at battery collection points by the
consumer. You can find out more information about the disposal of devices or
batteries produced after 6 January 2006 from your local waste-disposal
service or environmental authority.
In accordance with the regulations concerning batteries and rechargeable batteries, disposing of them in the normal household waste is explicitly forbidden. Please make sure to dispose of your used batteries as required by law — at a local collection point or in the retail market. Disposal in domestic waste violates the Battery Directive.
Batteries that contain toxins are marked with a sign and a chemical symbol.
1 battery contains cadmium
2 battery contains mercury
3 battery contains lead
Warranty and Service
The regular warranty period is 2 years and begins on the day of purchase. To
benefit from an extended voluntary warranty period as stated on the gift box,
registration on our website is required.
You can consult the full warranty terms as well as information on extending
the warranty period and details of our services at
www.bresser.de/warranty_terms.
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Bresser GmbH
Gutenbergstr. 2
DE-46414 Rhede
www.bresser.de ·
info@bresser.de
Manual_9118300_Microscope_de-en-fr-es_NGKIDS_v112022a
Errors and technical changes reserved.
Read More About This Manual & Download PDF:
References
- art.no
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