cassini C-900M Technical manual

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All I can see is a partial circle of light. Why?
To see your sample properly, you need to have even light shining up through the
slide. If you are using the mirror for light, try gently moving it about while looking
through the microscope until you see an evenly lit full circle.
I have a very thin sample on my slide, but I can’t see any detail.
First, make sure that the image is in sharp focus by adjusting the focusing knobs. If
the problem still exists you should add a drop of dye or stain to the sample. Stains
make hard-to-see objects like plant cells stand out.
BATTERY INFORMATION: This unit uses 2 AA 1.5 volt batteries. Always use
fresh batteries. Do not mix old and new batteries. Do not mix batteries of different
types. Remove exhausted batteries and dispose of them properly. If this toy will not
be used for an extended term please remove the batteries. Do not try to recharge a
non-rechargeable battery. Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from the toy
before being charged. Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult
supervision. Only batteries of the same or equivalent type as recommended are to be
used. Do not take a battery apart. Do not short-circuit the terminals. Do not dispose
of batteries in fire - they may explode.
C ARE I NSTRUCTIONS
Wipe the microscope body with a damp cloth; then dry with a clean, soft cotton
cloth. To clean the lenses, gently wipe them with cleaning cloths or wipes
specifically designed for camera or binocular lenses.
Product made in China
Manual printed in China
Instructions for the
WARNING! Only for use by children over 8 years old.
Only for use under the supervision of an adult.

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W ELCOME TO THE M ICROSCOPIC W ORLD
We take great pleasure in introducing you to the world of the microscope. Your new
microscope is an instrument with lenses for making very small objects appear much
larger so they can be studied. There are millions of tiny living plants and animals that
can be easily seen with your microscope.
In today’s technological world every science from the most fundamental biology to
the highly skilled field of astro-physiology use microscopes. Microscopes are used by
geologists for studying rocks and minerals, archaeologists who study very old items,
police departments who can study very small pieces of evidence, and even by as-
tronomers when they study fallen meteorites. Your microscope will let you see the
basic building blocks of life on Earth.
P ARTS OF Y OUR M ICROSCOPE :
Eyepiece Body tube
Revolving turret Focusing knob
Objective lens Arm
Stage Clip
Mirror
Illuminator lamp
(reverse side of Base
the mirror) (batterycase)
You should replace the water with clean salt water every three or four days. Use a
magnifying glass to study the brine shrimp. Start with the dried eggs,
then study an egg that has been in the salt water for a few hours. You can then
study a freshly-hatched larva, and finally a mature brine shrimp.
You can carefully place a wet egg, larva, or adult brine shrimp on a blank
slide for
study under low power on your microscope.
If you have brine shrimp remaining in your first container, and you have fish
in a bowl
or aquarium, you can feed the shrimp to your fish. YOU MUST
PLACE THE BRINE
SHRIMP IN FRESH WATER BEFORE YOU PLACE
THEM IN A FISH TANK AS
FOOD. THIS IS BECAUSE TOO MUCH SALT
CAN INJURE OR KILL MANY FISH
TYPES.
M ORE H ELPFUL H INTS
1) Always use the lowest magnification to begin a sample study. Higher
magnifications may not be better, as they are usually less bright.
2) Look through the microscope with both eyes open. This may seem
awkward at first, but will soon feel natural. You will find that keeping
both eyes open is less stressful.
3) Keep your work area clean and organized.
4) Wash your hands beforeand after each session.
FAQ S – F REQUENTLY A SKED Q UESTIONS
What can I see with my microscope?
You can see thousands of things that are difficult or impossible to see with
your eyes. You can see tiny plants and animals. You can observe plant and
animal cells. You can see the differences between different plants, different
papers, different fibers and hairs from different people. You can study crys-
tals, rocks, and minerals. The uses for your microscope are practically end-
less.
What is meant by power?
Power is a measure of the seeing ability of your microscope. It is really a
short way of saying “magnifying power.” Your microscope has three powers. They
are 300X (pronounced “300 times”), 600X, and 1,200X. This means that your micro-
scope can magnify the view of a sample so that it appears 300 times, 600 times, or
1,200 times larger than the way you see it with your eyes alone.
I look through my microscope and all I see is darkness. Why?
This could be because the mirror is not positioned properly to aim light up into your
microscope. Or maybe the sample you are looking at is too thick so that the light can-
not shine through it.

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M AKING A P ERMANENT S LIDE
1. Start with a clean slide and slide cover. Take care when handling these slide
covers.
2. Follow Steps 2 and 3 above.
3. Before placing the slide cover over your sample add several drops of gum
media, Canada balsam, or transparent glue.
4. Place the cover glass gently over the sample and gently squeeze out any air
bubbles.
5. Place your new slide in a safe place and let it dry for a day.
Now you can observe your slide.
T HE B RINE S HRIMP H ATCHERY
Brine shrimp are tiny swimming animals that are members of the crustacean family.
Crustaceans have shells and antennae. Brine shrimp‘s cousins are crabs, lobsters,
and other shrimp. Brine is water with salt in it, like sea water. So brine shrimp live in
salt water.
This set includes a shrimp hatchery, sea salt, and dried brine shrimp eggs. The eggs
should remain alive for several years if they are kept dry, and not allowed to freeze or
get too warm. You will need a clean container and some yeast (yeast used for bread
making is inexpensive and easy to locate. Ask your parents if you have any yeast in
the kitchen, and if you may have a small amount.
Into a large, well-washed plastic bottle (such as a 1.5 or 2 liter soda pop bottle, or a 1
or 2 quart milk jug, pour 0.95 liters (1 U.S. Quart) of tap water. Let this water stand at
room temperature for one day to allow chlorine in the water to dissipate.
After the water has been standing for a day, check the temperature. It should be be-
tween 70º and 80ºF (21º and 26ºC). Place about one sixth of the brine shrimp eggs in
the salt water and leave the container alone for between 24 and 48 hours. The eggs
will hatch into nauplius larvae. These nauplii only have one eye. In one to three days
these larvae will look like small brine shrimp, with two eyes!
Using a pipette or eye dropper, place some of the newly hatched larvae into one of
the shrimp hatchery chambers.
Place some of the salt water into the next chamber of your shrimp hatchery. Add a
few grains of yeast to this chamber. Transfer some of the brine shrimp from the first
chamber into the chamber with the yeast.
The yeast acts as food for the larvae, and helps them grow. You can also use green
algae from a fish tank, or even a few drops of raw, liquid egg yolk. If you do not feed
the larvae they will live for about three days. If you feed them and care for
them they can live up to three months.
C ONTENTS
300X/600X/900X microscope with mirror and electric
light 1 Petri dish with 1 cover
1 Shrimp hatchery with 1 cover
5 Prepared plastic slides
7 Blank slides
1 Test tube with lid
1 Scalpel
1 Tweezers
1 Stirring rod
10 Slide labels and 10 static slide labels
1 Vial of sea salt
1 Vial of brine shrimp eggs
1 Vial of gum media
3 empty vials
Instructions
Carrying case
Read all instructions before use. Follow them and keep them for future reference.
Keep small children and animals away from any experiments or projects. Store your
microscope set out of reach of small children. Eye protection is not included.
Your microscope has been designed to provide hours of enjoyment. Have fun! Al-
ways wash your hands carefully after handling any samples and always dispose of
any samples in a safe manner. When working with samples, keep your hands
away from your mouth and eyes.
H ELPFUL H INTS
1. The most important parts of your microscope are the lenses. Handle them with
care. If the lenses are dirty or dusty you can clean them with a soft cotton cloth
or a special lens cleaning tissue. Do not wipe them with a finger or a regular
facial tissue.
2. Protect your microscope from dust and moisture by always storing it in its box
or case.
G ETTING S TARTED
First, turn the microscope over. Insert two AA alkaline batteries in the base of the
microscope. In order to remove the bottom cover of the microscope you will need a
Phillips head (+) screwdriver. Insert the batteries as shown, making sure that the
(+)and (-) terminals are properly identified. Replace the bottom cover and reinsert
the screw. Do not over-tighten.

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Place the microscope on a flat surface near a bright light, or in the daytime, a window.
Locate the mirror and adjust the angle so that when you look into the eyepiece you
see a bright circle of light. Do not point the mirror toward the sun as eye damage
may result. If there is no bright light available or, if the room lighting is poor, you can
use the microscope’s electric illuminator. To turn on the illuminator, flip the mirror
over so that the light bulb is aimed upward. The light will come on by itself. Look
through the eyepiece and adjust the angle of the light until you see a bright circle.
Once you can see a bright light circle in the eyepiece your microscope
is ready for use.
Choose one of the prepared sample slides from your set. Place it un der the two
spring clips on top of the stage.
Next, choose the magnifying power you want to use. Your microscope can provide
magnifying powers of 300X, 600X, and 1,200X.
Remember that the longer objective lenses provide the higher powers. Most ob-
serving is done at low power.
To change the magnifying strength turn the revolving lens turret until you hear a
click.
Turn the focusing knob until the objective lens is almost touching the slide.
Don’t let the lens touch the slide as you may break the slide and damage the
lens. Now look through the eyepiece and slowly turn the focusing knob back
until you see the sample clearly.
H
OW TO M AKE A P REPARED S LIDE
Samples for examination should be very thin so that light can pass through
them. If the sample is too thick it will appear dark in the microscope.
Cloth fibers, pollen, dust, or salt crystals will be easy to see and make good
samples for beginners to observe.
If the sample is very thin and clear a drop of dye may make details show
more clearly. Methylene blue dye can be obtained from an aquarium supply
store.
You can transfer a drop of dye from the bottle to your slide with the pipette.
Be careful with dyes as they can stain clothing, furniture, or carpets.
M AKING A T EMPORARY S LIDE
1. Wipe the slide clean.
2. Prepare a thin sample. You may have to slice it with a scalpel or a
razor blade. Be very careful. Ask for adult help.
3. Pick up your sample with the tweezers and put it on the center section
of the slide. Add one drop of water. Or, if needed, you can now add a
drop of dye.
4. Gently place a temporary slide cover (plastic) over the sample, being
careful not to allow any air bubbles in.
5. Remove any excess water or dye with a piece of paper towel by press-
ing it down gently over the slide cover.