No, a microscope is not always a monocular.
Microscopes come in different configurations, and whether a microscope is monocular depends on its design. According to the provided reference, monocular microscopes are characterized by having only one eyepiece on their optical head. This means only one eye is used to observe the sample. However, other types of microscopes exist:
| Microscope Type | Number of Eyepieces |
|---|---|
| Monocular | One |
| Binocular | Two |
| Trinocular | Two (plus one port for a camera) |
Therefore, the term "microscope" is a broad category that includes:
- Monocular microscopes: These are suitable for basic educational purposes and single-person observations.
- Binocular microscopes: Offering more comfortable and detailed viewing with both eyes, commonly used in research and professional settings.
- Trinocular microscopes: Similar to binocular, but with an additional port to mount a camera, facilitating documentation and sharing of images.
So, while a monocular microscope is indeed a type of microscope, not every microscope is monocular.
