A magneto-optic scanning laser microscope has been built which is capable of observing the magnetic domain structure present in materials which exhibit the Kerr (polar and longitudinal) and Faraday magneto-optical effects. The samples are not specially coated to improve the Kerr contrast, images being formed of the domain structures in the "as produced" samples. The instrument is also capable of observing nonmagnetic contrast. In addition the microscope may be used, together with a high-power Ar ion laser, as a thermo-magneto-optic bit writer.