skip to main content

The Microscope: Our Window on the World

13 minutes 3 seconds

Videos are generally available for preview to non-members as short clips. Limited full-length titles are also available. Log In to view the full length title.

Browse Full-length Non-member Titles
Magnified view of roughly cube shaped object with a textured surface. Caption: (narrator) This is how one tiny grain of pollen looks

Gives a general introduction to microscopes, a device invented 400 years ago. Begins with a simple magnifying glass and moves to the optical, confocal, electron, scanning electron, and the scanning tunneling microscopes. Shows that each one "sees" with increasing detail. The microscope opens invisible worlds and aids scientists in improving ours.

Media Details

Runtime: 13 minutes 3 seconds

A butterfly sits on a metal head. Caption: can see regular color images and near infrared.
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 1
2 minutes 23 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A self healing reverse filter. On screen text, 1 centimeter. 1 time real time, 7 to 3 ratio, D I water to glycerol, 0.0083 M S D S. Caption: and it self heals after the object passes.
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 8
2 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A 360 view of the clouds and the tree tops. Caption: Clouds play a pivotal role in our planet's climate,
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 9
2 minutes 5 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
The illustration depicts the distress signals sent by the plant, when the caterpillar munches on its leaves. On screen text, Larva, Pieris rapae. Caption: Here's a caterpillar munching through a leaf.
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 10
2 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A graphical illustration of a star. Caption: reveal the inner workings of these rare stars,
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 16
2 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A group of people visiting an active volcano. Caption: scientists visited New Zealand's topol volcanic zone,
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 17
2 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A man with a shovel standing besides a water body. Caption: The team wants to see what other pollutants are recorded.
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 18
2 minutes 17 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Illustrations depict a cell placed above the graphene, which is illuminated by a light bulb. Caption: The more intense the light, the faster the cells beat.
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 2
2 minutes 42 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A biological skin and a bioinspired e skin. The e skin consists of synthetic layers instead of biological layers. Caption: work together to give our hands their extraordinary sensitivity.
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 20
2 minutes 32 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A diagram illustrates certain traits recurring in a grain plant. Caption: Those traits remain the same generation after generation.
4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week
Episode 21
2 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12