Atom images

[Vene]

link

We can now look at individual atoms.  Hydrogen atoms at that.  Sure, it looks like this:

But how cool is it that what is essentially a proton can now be viewed?

[PeregrineBF]

We've been able to look at individual atoms for a long time now, just not with this type of microscope. You can build an STM with atomic resolution (though for somewhat bigger atoms) for less than $100. http://www.geocities.com/spm_stm/Project.html
That said, this is a great achievement. STMs and AFMs have limitations that TEMs don't, so the extra resolution should be a good thing.

[nurbldoff]

Just a note that a hydrogen atom is a lot bigger than a proton, I guess something like 100000 times bigger in terms of "classical" radius.

Still neat though.

[Vene]

Just a note that a hydrogen atom is a lot bigger than a proton, I guess something like 100000 times bigger in terms of "classical" radius.

Still neat though.

Wouldn't it depend on if the hydrogen atom in question has a charge?  (I'm excluding deuterium for no good reason too)

[nurbldoff]

Well, a positive Hydrogen ion is just a proton. If there aren't any electrons around there is little point in calling it an atom.

Anyway, I was just being an egghead.