Abstract
Digitization of the natural history specimens usually occurs by taking detailed pictures from different sides or producing 3D models. Additionally this is normally limited to imaging the specimen while exposed by light of the visual spectrum. However many specimens can see in or react to other spectra as well. Fluorescence is a well known reaction to the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum by animals, plants, minerals etc. but rarely taken into account while examining natural history specimens. Our tests show that museum specimens still fluoresce when exposed to UV light of 395 nm and 365 nm, even after many years of preservation. When the UV exposure is used in the digitization of specimens using our low cost focus stacking (2D+) setup, the resulting pictures reveal more detail than the conventional 2D+ images. Differences in fluorescence using 395 nm or 365 nm UV lights were noticed, however there isn’t a preferred wavelength as some specimens react more to the first, while others have better results with the latter exposure. Given the increased detail and the low cost of the system, UV exposure should be considered while digitizing natural history museum collections.
Highlights
In most digitization projects researchers try to document and duplicate collection specimens in a way as humans observe them
When using the 365 nm light source, specimens of the dry collection show that there is an increase in contrast and detail compared to the picture taken with flash exposure (Figs 5 and 6)
Materials, which are well represented in Natural History museums
Summary
In most digitization projects researchers try to document and duplicate collection specimens in a way as humans observe them. As an end result of the digitization process, the eventually produced digitized form has to show as much detail as possible and give an accurate representation of the original specimen. The manner in which a certain specimen is perceived might not be the most accurate one. Human sight is not perfect at all as we can’t see in the ultraviolet, nor the infrared spectrum. Most researchers are aware of the fact that the sight of many creatures is more sensitive to one of these spectra and do take this into account in their research ([1], [2], [3], etc).
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