Related Concept Videos
Focusing of Light in the Eye
Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
Depth Perception and Spatial Vision
Depth perception is the ability to perceive objects three-dimensionally. It relies on two types of cues: binocular and monocular. Binocular cues depend on the combination of images from both eyes and how the eyes work together. Since the eyes are in slightly different positions, each eye captures a slightly different image. This disparity between images, known as binocular disparity, helps the brain interpret depth. When the brain compares these images, it determines the distance to an object.
Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy
Optical microscopy uses optic principles to provide detailed images of samples. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek designed the first compound optical microscope in the 17th century to visualize blood cells, bacteria, and yeast cells. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes with enhanced magnification and resolution.
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
Interference and Diffraction
Interference is a characteristic phenomenon exhibited by waves. When two electromagnetic waves interact with their peaks and troughs coinciding, a resulting wave with enhanced amplitude is produced. This is known as constructive interference. In this case, the two waves interacting are in phase with each other.
Flame Photometry: Lab
In a flame photometer, when a solution like potassium chloride is aspirated into the flame, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind dehydrated salt. This salt dissociates into free gaseous atoms in their ground state. Some of these atoms absorb energy from the flame, leading to their excitation. The excited atoms return to the ground state, emitting photons at characteristic wavelengths. Because only electronic transitions are involved, the resulting emission lines are very narrow. The intensity...
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers. Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Sort by
Same author
Experiments on the use of infrared sensitive phosphors in photography of the spectrum.
Journal of the Optical Society of America·2010
Same author
A critical evaluation of roentgenotherapy in benign inflammatory conditions of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·2010
Same author
Multiple neural-network-based adaptive controller using orthonormal activation function neural networks.
IEEE transactions on neural networks·2008
Same author
Pulse pressure contour method testing via hybrid computer simulation.
IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering·1974
Same author
Reflection spectra of small paint samples: a potential solution.
Journal of forensic sciences·1971
Same journal
Multifunctional reconfigurable terahertz metasurface based on vanadium dioxide phase transition: achieving broadband absorption and efficient polarization conversion.
Applied optics·2026
Same journal
High-Q-factor electromagnetically induced transparency utilizing quasi-bound states in the continuum in an all-dielectric terahertz metasurface.
Applied optics·2026
Same journal
Automated stitching interferometry for high-precision metrology of X-ray mirrors.
Applied optics·2026
Same journal
Experimental demonstration of an approach to designing a metal-dielectric DBR resonant cavity structure.
Applied optics·2026
Same journal
High-precision wavefront reconstruction from a single-shot interferogram using a physics-driven hybrid feature calibration network.
Applied optics·2026
Same journal
Ultra-high-Q Fano resonance based on coupled topological corner states in Kagome photonic crystals.
Applied optics·2026
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

10:35
Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Summary
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a rich history in optical studies, with current research spanning ultraviolet and soft X-ray regions, lasers, holography, vision, and photography. Future optical research at GSFC and NASA shows promising advancements.
Area of Science:
- Space Science and Technology
- Optical Physics
- Astrophysics Instrumentation
Background:
- Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a historical foundation in optical studies relevant to space exploration.
- Optical research is crucial for advancing capabilities in space observation and instrumentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the historical development of optical studies at GSFC.
- To highlight current research activities in various optical domains.
- To project the future trajectory of optics within GSFC and NASA.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of optical research initiatives at GSFC.
- Description of current projects in ultraviolet (UV) and soft X-ray spectral regions.
- Overview of work in lasers, holography, vision science, photography, and optical testing.
Main Results:
- GSFC possesses a significant historical contribution to optical science.
- Current research encompasses a broad spectrum of optical technologies and applications.
- Active programs exist in UV/soft X-ray spectroscopy, laser applications, and advanced imaging.
Conclusions:
- The historical development of optics at GSFC provides a strong foundation for future endeavors.
- Current optical research at GSFC is diverse and technologically advanced.
- The future of optics at GSFC and NASA is optimistic, with potential for significant breakthroughs.

