Virtual Microscope - revised and relaunched

Launched in 2012, our Virtual Microscope open-access website has been relaunched following a makeover in early 2021.

The relaunch coincides with the addition of around 200 more geological samples in three new university collections.

The philosophy of the Virtual Microscope is to share collections of geological microscope sections held in museums, universities and other institutions, making them accessible wherever there is internet access.

Users can examine and explore microscopic views of a wide range of terrestrial rocks, lunar samples, minerals and meteorites as if using a research-grade polarising microscope.

Usage surged during 2020 as the Virtual Microscope met the sudden jump in demand for online teaching and learning caused by the COVID Pandemic. We now have several university partners alongside museums, learned societies and NASA.

If you have any questions or want to find out more please contact Tom Argles.