Here is a simulation of a microscope. The principle is similar to the telescope, but the object is close to the OBJECTIVE lens, thus there needs to be some distance (this is called the tube length) between the OBJECTIVE and the EYEPIECE to allow the first real image to form. The light from the nearby object on the left side comes into the Objective lens (the left lens) and forms a real image {image 1}. The second lens is called the EYEPIECE lens, and is positioned so that the first real image forms at the focal length of the eyepiece lens (this model shows it forming just inside the focal length so that you can see how the image forms). The first real image becomes a real object for the second lens, at the focal length, thus forms a final virtual image {image 2} essentially at infinity. [As the "parallel" rays come into the eye, from the image at infinity, they will converge to form an image on the retina, thus you resolve the image.] You can slide the eyepiece lens toward the left to illustrate adjusting the focus of the microscope. Refresh applet