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How to Magnify Objective Lenses

Optic-based microscopes and telescopes are made up of two primary lenses. The objective lens is the one closest to the object being viewed, so it is at the end of the microscope or telescope. The ocular lens is what the person operating the microscope or telescope looks through. Using the objective lens for magnification requires both lenses. The objective lens has a natural magnification, but focusing the magnification requires the ocular lens.

Things You'll Need

Objective lens
Ocular lens
Plastic tubing
Light source

Instructions

- 1
  Determine if you want to use the lens to magnify a far away object, as you would with a telescope, or a small object, as you would with a microscope. The magnification instrument determines the placement of the two lenses and the distance between them. A telescope requires a large objective lens, while a microscope requires smaller lenses.
- 2
  Place the objective lens on the end of the plastic tubing. Secure it with glue. For a microscope, the tubing should be small, not more than six inches long. The telescope lens should be at least 12 inches long, but preferably longer.
- 3
  Hold the ocular lens on the other side of the tubing and look through. Look at a far away object, if you want to use the tube as a telescope. Look at a small object, if you want to use it as a microscope. Place a light source behind the object, if using the instrument as a microscope.
- 4
  Move the ocular lens either by decreasing the length of the tubing or adding additional tubing. This helps focus the image and maximize the magnification of the objective lens. Glue the ocular lens into the tubing when the image is magnified and in focus.

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