Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an
object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer
chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such
as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the
systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired
wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if
desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification
of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well
as enhancing the ability to point the device.