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Microcosmos: Discovering the World Through Microscopic Images from 20 X to Over 22 Million X Magnification

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A journey into everyday life through spectacular microscopic images. This substantial volume brings together extraordinary images produced through the latest technologies in microphotography. Most of the 205 stunning, full-color photographs have been taken using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), allowing us to see our world as never before. Each image is a close-up that reveals remarkable forms, shapes and colors. The book is divided into six chapters that Every spread includes complete, informative captions that identify the photograph and describe both the image and the way in which it was captured. With its stunning full-color photographs and text written in clear and accessible language, Microcosmos provides a fascinating journey of discovery.

422 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2006

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About the author

Brandon Broll

13 books

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Kathrynn.
1,185 reviews
January 2, 2009
There are six chapters in this wonderful 9x6 full color book! On every left-hand page is the written description--including magnification used--of the full-color picture located on every right-hand page.

I found this very well put together. Informative. And the pictures are amazing to see!

In Microorganisms you can see:
* Protozoan (2000x)
* cell wall (4000x)
* tongue bacteria (23000x)
* ulcer bacteria on the stomach (9960x)
* E. coli bacteria (9400x)
* AIDS Viruses (20000x)
and much more...

In Botanics you can see:
* diatoms (500x, 9200x, 1760x)
* mushroom spores (6900x)
* lichen (110x)
* root of an iris (165x)
and much more...

In Human Body you can see:
* mitosis (1350x) --very cool!
* cell division (7300x)
* mitochondria (115000x)
* bone tissue (24x)
* bone cancer (8200x)
* capillaries on muscle (1500x)
* kidney stone crystals (450x)
* blood clot crystals (1060x, 2400x)
and much more...

In Zoology you can see:
* butterfly eggs (155x)
* caterpillar feet (60x)
* tarantula eyes (48x) (ugh!)
* jumping spider eyes (80x)
* household dust (370x)
* dust mite suckers (2200x) (ugh!)
* aphid (190x)
* blowfly laying eggs (16x)
* head louse (82x)
* shark skin (135x)
and much more...

In Minerals you can see:
* snowflake (57x)
* folic acid (140x)
* vitamin C (1435x)
* morphine (450x)
* pesticide food contamination (7600x)
and much more...

In Technology you can see:
* filter paper (415x)
* surface of a shoe insole (115x)
* nylon stocking (295x)
* fibers in a bra (310x)
* waterproof clothing (90x)
* toilet paper (190x)
* cigarette paper (650x)
* ant holding a microchip (32x)
* CD (65x)
and much more...


Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,824 followers
March 27, 2011
The Electron Microscope and Art

MICROCOSMOS is a feast for the eyes. This is the second edition (this time in paperback) of this exotic collection of images as seen by the electron microscope that has the ability to magnify images from 20 times to over 22 million times and the results are colorful, almost indescribably beautiful details we will never see without this marvelous instrument.

Some of the images (each on a separate page with minimal verbiage to detract form the wonder) include an ant holding a microchip (as seen on the cover), the surface of an erasable programmable Read Only Memory silicon microchip, Surface of an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory silicon microchip, eyelash hairs growing from the surface of human skin (looking for all the world like reeds growing form a riverbed), the surface of a strawberry, bacteria on the surface of a human tongue, human spermatozoa, nylon hooks and loops of Velcro, household dust (this one includes long hairs of cat fur, twisted synthetic and woolen fibers, serrated insect scales, a pollen grain, and plant and insect remains!!!), the head of a mosquito, head louse clinging to a human hair (a bit terrifying), eight eyes (two groups of four) on the head of a tarantula, clutch of butterfly eggs on a raspberry plant, and many more.

One of the aspects of the photographs (aside from the fact that here are geometrical atomic forms that defy imagination) is the brilliance of color that comes as a complete surprise to the eye. This is a book for adults as well as children to explore that world secreted from the human eye. Highly recommended.

Grady Harp
Profile Image for Noah W.
95 reviews
January 2, 2013
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13

The microscopic pictures capturing the composition of a world that is hidden from the unaided eye reflect this verse. Many of the pictures addresses the human anatomy show that we are woven together out of many fibers aside from the fact many scientists consider DNA to be "knitted" together.

Great pictures that have been enhanced/colorized to highlight the elements.

3 reviews
April 19, 2013
I liked this book a lot. It shows you things close up in a micrope. My favorite picture was the Tarantula eyes even though i hate spiders with a passion. I recommend this book to outdoor people, people that like to hunt or camp. The pictures will keep you guessing until you read it.
15 reviews
August 16, 2009
This book has the best pictures I've ever seen. All of the microscopic close-ups are very cool. They even have a magnification of a used razor blade.
Profile Image for Ke We.
1 review9 followers
December 21, 2014
this has been my visual 'bible' for the year.
incredibly out of this world, gave me goosebumps.
Profile Image for McArthur Library.
499 reviews19 followers
February 2, 2016
Check out the beauty in the magnification of small things. Plants, insects, eyelashes--they're all stunning and colorful. As someone who hates to dust, even the dust was gorgeous!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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