About This Event

Hidden inside the inner ear of fish and other vertebrates are remarkable microscopic structures called otoliths – tiny calcium carbonate “ear stones” that play an essential role in balance, movement and sensing gravity. Join Colin Brooks for a fascinating hands-on microscopy session exploring otoliths up close. Discover how these intricate structures work, what they can reveal about an animal, and why scientists study them. In fish, the growth patterns preserved within otoliths can even provide valuable information about age, growth and life history – rather like reading the rings of a tree. Using microscopes, you’ll have the opportunity to examine otoliths for yourself and explore the fine structures and patterns that are easily missed by the naked eye. Whether you’re interested in microscopy, fish biology, zoology, natural history or simply curious about the hidden structures inside living things, this practical session offers something a little different. Beginners, visitors and experienced microscopists are all welcome at this Northamptonshire Natural History Society Microscopy meeting at the Humfrey Rooms, Northampton Image: Black rockfish otolith cross-section © Vanessa von Biela/USGS, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Cropped.

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