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Public engagement resources for the Monday April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse
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iridescence

Zoom into a Blue Morpho Butterfly video

In this 3-minute video, the viewer zooms into a Blue Morpho Butterfly from macroscale to nanoscale.
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Looking at an opal through a scanning electron microscope

Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals

In this activity, learners will be exposed to the term ‘Photonic Crystals,' explore some of the well-known photonic crystals in nature and will also be able observe one method that scientists use in trying to replicate this process.
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Large blue and orange interactive exhibit that features the properties of blue butterfly wings on the nanoscale. Exhibit has three boxes with preserved butterflies under a light and a large sign going into detail on nanostructures

Changing Colors exhibit

An exhibit that was part of the Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal? exhibition that shows how some high-tech nanomaterials mimic natural phenomena.
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Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing (reflected light)

Magnified image of a blue morpho butterfly's wing using an Optical Microscope.
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Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing (non-reflected light)

Magnified image of a blue morpho butterfly's wing using an Optical Microscope.
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Scientific Image- Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing Ridges

Magnified image of blue morpho butterfly wing ridges using a Scanning Electron Microscope.
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Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing Scales

Magnified image of blue morpho butterfly wing scales using a Scanning Electron Microscope.
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Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly

Photograph of a blue morpho butterfly using an optical camera.
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Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing Microribs

Magnified image of blue morpho butterfly wing microribs using a Scanning Electron Microscope.
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a collection of shells of different types

Why are Seashells so Strong?

In this activity, learners explore seashells and various structural models to discover that seashells are a composite material made of both inorganic and organic materials.
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