An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source and a structure for
performing light-power control for the light source, the structure
including a light-power-detection optical unit that establishes an
optically conjugate relationship between a deflecting surface of a
deflecting unit and a light-receiving surface of a light-power detector
in a main-scanning plane. Accordingly, the storage time of a light beam
on the light-power-detection optical unit is increased and variation in
the power of light emitted by the light source due to heat generated by
the light source and environmental variation is accurately detected.