Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves
Published on: May 10, 2020
Quasi-microscope concept for planetary missions
Abstract:
Viking lander cameras have returned stereo and multispectral views of the Martian surface with a resolution that approaches 2 mm/lp in the near field. A two-orders-of-magnitude increase in resolution could be obtained for collected surface samples by augmenting these cameras with auxiliary optics that would neither impose special camera design requirements nor limit the cameras field of view of the terrain. Quasi-microscope images would provide valuable data on the physical and chemical characteristics of planetary regoliths.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Microscopy Techniques
Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
Phase Contrast and Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy
In-phase-contrast microscopes, interference between light directly passing through a cell and light refracted by cellular components is used to create high-contrast, high-resolution images without staining. It is the oldest and simplest type of microscope that creates an image by altering the wavelengths of light rays passing through the specimen. Altered wavelength paths are created using an annular stop in the condenser. The annular stop produces a hollow cone of...
Three-Dimensional Microscopy in Microbiology
Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion
Polish astronomer Nikolaus Copernicus put forth a theory that stated a heliocentric model for the solar system. According to this heliocentric theory, all the planets, including Earth, orbit the Sun in circular orbits.
On the other hand,...
Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion
While in an elliptical orbit, the total energy of the planet is conserved. Therefore, the planet slows down when it is at apogee and...

