Hidden colors
Aug 14, 2025 • 2:17 PM UTC
United States
140x Magnification
Insects and Arachnids
Holly Stuart (Foldscope Team)
Education Specialist at Foldscope Instruments
111posts
1083comments
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I love the way light can completely change the way an object appears to the eye - especially when it happens under a microscope! This insect antenna is covered with long hairs. When light hits them straight on (brightfield), it is mostly colorless. But when the light is shifted to the side (darkfield), the hairs act like a diffraction grating causing a rainbow of color to appear!
These pictures were taken using a Foldscope 2.0, 140X magnification lens, and the 2.0 LED light module. The first is brightfield and the second is darkfield.
These pictures were taken using a Foldscope 2.0, 140X magnification lens, and the 2.0 LED light module. The first is brightfield and the second is darkfield.
These pictures were taken using a Foldscope 2.0, 140X magnification lens plus 5X digital zoom on my phone, and the 2.0 LED light module. The first is brightfield and the second is darkfield.
Have fun playing with light and your samples - and don't forget to share your pictures and videos! Happy Foldscoping!
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