Readers of this site (and magazine) may be accustomed to using magnification to look at the very big, very far away. But, apart from any biology or chemistry enthusiasts out there, what about using magnification to look at the very, very small? When’s the last time you looked at that not-so-distant alien world?
The ASPEX Corporation is running a campaign specifically to help you do that. If you send in a sample of something and a form, they’ll run it through their scanning electron microscope for free, and post the images online. Their site explaining the process outlines the 5 steps to make it happen: find a sample, fill out a form, send them to ASPEX, wait for them to scan it (usually about 2 weeks), and look at it online.
Their gallery already shows a lot of variety, but they think it would be even better with a high-quality picture of a meteorite or two and you know, we agree. So if you have a meteorite (or anything else) you’d like to see almost impossibly up close and personal, send it over, and they’ll apparently do the rest. Just be sure to write on the form that you’d like your sample returned, unless you want to make a thank-you donation.
So, will you submit anything for the world to see under enormous magnification? Any suggestions you hope other people will send?
ASPEX Corporation photo