= Microscope
{wiki}
A <microscope> produces an enlarged representation of a small object. An <optical microscope> forms its image using <light> and an objective; an <electron microscope> uses an <electron beam> and different focusing and detection methods. The useful result depends on <image contrast> and <optical resolution>, as well as <magnification>.
For a compound <optical microscope>, the objective forms an enlarged intermediate image and an eyepiece can magnify that image further. Increasing this second <magnification> alone does not reveal finer detail than the objective has transmitted. The objective's <numerical aperture> and the illumination <wavelength> constrain <diffraction>-limited detail, while specimen preparation determines which structures create <image contrast>. A practical check compares the visibility of two nearby features, rather than judging only their apparent size.<University Physics Volume 3 by Samuel J. Ling and others/2.8 Microscopes and Telescopes>[microscopes: intermediate image and compound magnification]{ref}
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