Optical Collection (#21)

Compound microscope, 17th Century artwork
Compound microscope. 17th Century artwork of a man looking through a large compound microscope. This image is from La Dioptrique, published by Rene Descartes (1596-1650) in 1637

Eye lens and accommodation, artwork
Eye lens and accommodation. Artwork showing the process by which the eye changes the shape of the lens when changing between close vision and distant vision. This process is known as accommodation

Eta Carinae Nebula (NGC 3372), optical image. This nebula (a vast cloud of dust and gas) surrounds the variable star Eta Carinae

Crab nebula (M1). Composite x-ray, infrared and optical image of the Crab nebula, the remnant of a supernova. In the centre of the nebula is the remains of the stars core

Swan and Eagle nebulae, optical image. These are both emisison nebulae, clouds of gas and dust glowing red as the hydrogen gas is ionised by radiation from hot young stars within them

Omega Centauri globular cluster
Omega Centauri (NGC 5139), the largest of the globular star clusters in our galaxy, optical image. Found in the constellation of Centaurus

Great Orion Nebula. Optical image of the emission nebulae M42 (right, large) and M43 (centre left, smaller) in the constellation Orion, together making up what is known as the Great Orion Nebula

Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), optical image. This is a planetary nebula, a series of shells of gas cast off by a dying star. The ejection of the stars outer layers exposes its hot core

Lagoon Nebula (M8), optical image. This nebula is an active region of star birth. It glows red as radiation from hot, newly formed stars ionises the surrounding hydrogen gas and causes it to glow

Trifid Nebula (M20, NGC 6514), optical image. Part of this nebula (cloud of gas and dust) glows red due to the ionisation of the hydrogen gas by the hot and bright stars born at its centre

Research Laboratory optical microscope close up

Laser research. Laser probe being used in research on image processing systems. This research is taking place at the Institute of Image Processing Systems in Samara, Russia

Earths atmosphere and solar radiation. Computer artwork of the effect of the Earths atmosphere on solar radiation. Shown here are the three lowest levels (blue rectangles) of the Earths atmosphere

Antennae galaxies, composite image. Two galaxies (NGC 4038 and NGC 4039) are colliding here. They are 60 million light years from Earth, in the constellation of Corvus

Visual pathways, artwork
Visual pathways. Artwork of the visual pathways in the human brain. The optic nerves (white and blue lines) extend from the retinas at the back of each eye towards the optic chiasma

Northern lights over Murmansk
Northern lights. View of the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, photographed above the Russian city of Murmansk. The Northern Lights are created as electrically charged particles from the Solar

Desert mirage, 1854 artwork
Desert mirage. Artwork published in 1854 of a mirage in a desert, giving the impression of a pool of water where none exists

Dissecting microscope

Desert Mirage, Libya
A mirage is a naturally occurring optical phenomenon in which light rays are bent to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky

Newtons rings effect. Montage of several examples of the Newtons rings effect that occurs when two pieces of glass are placed together

Biological computer, conceptual image
Biological computer. Conceptual image of chemicals, numbers and flashes of light, representing the workings of a computer based on organic or biological principles

Magnifying glass C009 / 7009
Magnifying glass

Future computing, conceptual image
Future computing. Conceptual image of a computer circuit board on a grid with a beam of light waves above it, representing future advances in computing

Quantum computer core. Crystal core of a quantum computer, as it would appear at high magnification. Quantum computers, which are under development

Dissected eye, 1844 artwork
Dissected eye. This anatomical artwork is figure 1, plate 78 from volume 3 (1844) of Traite complet de l anatomie de l homme (1831-1854)

Eye anatomy, 1844 artwork
Eye anatomy, front view. This anatomical artwork is figure 2, plate 75 from volume 3 (1844) of Traite complet de l anatomie de l homme (1831-1854)

Optical science equipment. Devices used for controlling light in a laboratory

Telescope at the Byurakan Observatory
Visible light astronomy. View of the 2.8-metre cassegrain reflector telescope at the Byurakan Observatory, Armenia. The instrument is used for visible light astronomy, usually spectroscopy

Microscopes, historical artwork
Microscopes. Historical artwork of a range of microscopes and associated equipment. Six optical microscopes are shown here, together with tools used to handle samples

Optics experiment, historical artwork. A beam of light (left) is passing through a set of two rotatable lenses (centre left) that disperse the beam. A third lens focuses the beam

Sunset, composite image. Sequence of twenty images showing increasing distortion of the Suns disc as it sinks towards the horizon

Telescopes, historical artwork
Telescopes. Historical artwork of a range of telescopes and four of the planets that they were used to study. Telescopes were developed in the 17th century

Coastal waterfall, with a partial rainbow seen in the spray. The water is falling from basalt sea cliffs at Kilt Rock, on the Trotternish peninsula, on the Isle of Skye, off the coast of Scotland

Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) composite image
Omega Centauri (NGC 5139). Composite infrared and optical image of the Omega Centauri globular cluster. Globular clusters are spherical groups of very old stars, about 12 billion years old

Visible light spectrum experiment. Historical artwork of the experiment that showed how a prism (upper left) can be used to split a beam of white light into its component colours

Biconvex lens model, 19th century
Biconvex lens model. This model is designed to show students of optics how light rays passing through a biconvex lens invert the image of an object

Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago
Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA. The stainless steel sculpture, by Anish Kapoor, was constructed between 2004 and 2006

Distortion of the Sun, 17th century
Distortions of the Sun. 17th century diagram explaining how the disc of the Sun appears distorted when seen close to the horizon

Galaxy cluster MACS J0717, composite image. This massive galaxy cluster was formed when four separate galaxy clusters collided

Laser reading digital pits on a CD / DVD
Computer artwork showing light emitted by a laser diode being focussed onto a compact disc by a small lens. The metal disc underneath is etched by a laser beam to produce the microscopic pits which

Lower Yellowstone Falls and spray rainbow
Lower Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone river. These 33 meter high falls are the largest volume falls in the Rocky Mountains of the USA

Optical effects in shallow sea water
Optical lens effects in shallow sea water show coloured fringing as the uneven water surface forms temporary and imperfect lenses which split incident light into its constituent colours (like a prism)

Fluorescence lifetime imaging lasers. Lasers of a fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) microscope in a medical research laboratory

Observatories on summit of Mauna Kea
Observatories at the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, at sunrise. From left to right they are: Subaru Telescope, Keck 1 and Keck 2 telescopes, and NASA Infrared Telescope Facility

Hubble Space Telescope, artwork
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in Earth orbit, computer artwork. The Milky Way is in the background. The HST is an astronomical satellite in orbit around Earth

Gemini North telescope, Hawaii
Gemini North telescope dome on the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA. This 8-metre optical/infrared telescope was completed in 1999

Newtons Opticks notes in flames, 1692
Newtons Opticks notes in flames. Coloured historical artwork of the English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton (1642-1727) discovering that his notes on optics are burning

Cordless mouse and keyboard for a computer. Wireless keyboards and mice use either infrared or radio waves to connect to the computer

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"Exploring the Mysteries of the Optical Universe: From Orion Nebula to Northern Lights" Step into a world where beauty and wonder collide, as we delve into the captivating realm phenomena. The breathtaking Orion Nebula unveils its celestial secrets, showcasing a cosmic ballet of Blossom and Decay. Behold the mesmerizing Nebula Sh 2-106 in all its glory, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope's keen eye. Its ethereal hues paint an otherworldly canvas that transports us to distant galaxies. But it's not just far-off wonders that captivate our gaze; closer to home, nature puts on its own spectacular light show with the enchanting dance of the Northern Lights. A sight so magical, it leaves us awestruck at Earth's natural marvels. Through an optical lens, we peer into space and witness Sirius shining brightly amidst a sea of stars. The star filter reveals its true radiance, reminding us of our infinitesimal place in this vast universe. The spiral galaxy M81 beckons us further into deep space with its stunning composite image. Its swirling arms tell tales of cosmic evolution and remind us that even galaxies are subject to change. Venturing deeper still, we encounter the enigmatic Horsehead Nebula—a dark silhouette against a backdrop of stellar brilliance—an enigma waiting to be unraveled. Andromeda Galaxy awaits our exploration next—the closest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way—inviting us to ponder what lies beyond our familiar celestial neighborhood. Intriguingly intertwined within this tapestry is also human ingenuity—the University of Oxford's College serves as a cradle for knowledge seekers who unravel these mysteries day by day. Meanwhile, Chadburn Brothers' Albion Works stands as testament to humanity's pursuit in crafting precise optical instruments that unlock new realms for discovery.