A stereo microscope, also known as a stereoscopic or dissecting microscope, is an optical microscope variant designed for low magnification observation of a sample, typically using light reflected from the surface of an object rather than transmitted through it. It provides a three-dimensional view of a specimen, making it ideal for examining solid or thick samples. Stereo microscopes are often used to study the surfaces of solid specimens or to carry out close work such as dissection, microsurgery, watch-making, circuit board manufacture or inspection, and fracture surfaces as in fractography and forensic engineering. They are widely used in manufacturing industry for manufacture, inspection, and quality control. Stereo microscopes are essential tools in entomology and are used to view electronic components such as circuits, surface soldering, jewelry repair, fossil examination, insect or botanical dissections. The magnification of a stereo microscope ranges between 10x and 50x, and some stereo microscopes can deliver a useful magnification up to 100x. Unlike a compound light microscope, illumination in a stereo microscope most often uses reflected illumination rather than transmitted (diascopic) illumination, that is, light reflected from the surface of an object rather than light transmitted through an object. Stereo microscopes can be configured for any use, and various stands and mounts are available, including boom stands, articulating or flex arms, plain stands, track stands, table mounts, and more.