Meade Model 9400 Microscope
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Introduction.
The Meade Model 9400 Microscope is a precision instrument enabling startling
views of the microcosmic world with its all-metal construction, fine glass
optical elements, and precision adjustments.
Your Meade microscope will be your companion in a hidden realm of unimagined
detail and wondrous structures within everyday objects from crystalline
structures in minerals to a veritable zoo of microorganisms in a drop of
pond water.
Unpacking and Assembly.
Your Meade Model 9400 Microscope requires some minor assembly of the Eyepiece,
Objective Lenses, and Illuminating Mirror.
To complete the assembly, carefully remove the Illuminating Mirror (1) from
the foam packaging and thread in its mounting post in the hole of the microscope
base, under the microscope Stage (2).
Then carefully unthread each of the three Objective Lenses from their storage
bottles and thread them into the Objective Lens Turret (3).
For final assembly, locate the WF (wide field) 10X Eyepiece (4), unthread
the eyepiece set-screw (5) on the microscope's drawtube (6) with a small
flat-head screwdriver, slide the WF10X Eyepiece into the drawtube and tighten
the eyepiece set-screw.
Using the Microscope.
In any microscope, the objective lens magnifies the illuminated specimen
on the microscope Stage, and then is further magnified by the microscope's
eyepiece. In this way the image can be magnified many times. The Meade Model
9400 Microscope offers magnifications of 40X, 100X, and 400X.
To get started, use a prepared microscope glass slide, and place it on the
center of the microscope Stage over the Condensing Lens (7). Clamp it down
with the Stage Clips (8) that are on either side of the aperture of the
Stage.
Aim the Illuminating Mirror at a nearby light source, look through the Eyepiece
and tilt the Mirror until illumination is seen through the Eyepiece. Turn
the 5-Aperture Rotary Diaphragm (9) of the Stage so that the largest opening
(position 5) is placed under the Condensing Lens aperture, this will insure
that the maximum amount of light will illuminate the specimen.
Always start observing using the lowest magnification with the microscope.
In the case of the Meade Model 9400, use the 4X Objective Lens (10) by rotating
the Objective Lens Turret so that the 4X Objective Lens (engraved "4/
0.1") is aiming at the center of the Stage (when it is in the proper
position it will click into place). The 4X Objective Lens will give a 40X
(40 power) view with the 10X Eyepiece. Final Power is calculated by multiplying
the Objective Lens Power by the Eyepiece Power (e.g., 4 X 10 = 40).
Focus the microscope by slowly turning the coarse Adjustment Focus Knob
(13), until an image forms in the Eyepiece. Then with the Fine Adjustment
Knob (14), slowly rack the focus back and forth to get the best focus, or
to reveal hidden structure at different depths of the specimen being examined.
Note that the WF10X Eyepiece has an internal pointer to reference a specific
region in the object being examined.
If the image appears too bright, rotate the 5-Aperture Rotary Diaphragm
until a comfortable view is seen. You can choose between aperture positions
5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. If the image is too dim, use the largest aperture and
increase the brightness of the light source being reflected by the Illuminating
Mirror.
To increase magnification, rotate the Objective Lens Turret to center the
10X Objective Lens (11) over the specimen for 100X, or the 40X (12) Objective
Lens for 400X. When using higher magnifications focusing becomes more critical
and the objective lens will come closer to the specimen in order to reach
focus. Use the same techniques in coarse and fine focusing as described
above and use care so that the Objective Lens does not come in direct contact
with the specimen when achieving a final focus.
Maintenance.
As with any quality instrument, your Meade Microscope should be stored in
a cool, dry place free of dust, acid and fumes.
The lenses and Illuminating Mirror of your Meade Microscope should be cleaned
as infrequently as possible. Tiny particles of dust on the surface of the
lenses or the Illuminating Mirror causes negligible loss of image quality.
In all cases avoid touching the optical and mirror surfaces, and never disassemble
the optical parts of the microscope.
When lens or mirror cleaning does become necessary, use a camel's hair brush
or compressed air gently to remove dust. If the microscope is covered with
the included plastic bag between uses, cleaning of the optics will rarely
be required.
Specifications.
Magnifications: 40X, 100X, and 400X
Objectives: 4/ 0.1 (4X), 10/ 0.25 (10X), and 40/ 0.65 (40X)
Eyepiece: Multi-coated Wide Field 10X
Focuser: Rack-and-Pinion Type, with coarse and fine adjustment
Stage Size: 114mm X 117mm
Illumination: Substage Plano/Concave Mirror
Viewing Angle: 0 to 90 degrees
Weight: 7 lbs.
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