1. A method of combining multiple swaths of images acquired with a linear scan of an object with an array microscope, comprising the following steps: providing a two-dimensional microscope array with a plurality of magnifying imaging systems disposed along a corresponding plurality of optical axes for imaging a picture of the object onto a detector, said plurality of magnifying imaging systems being arranged in rows and configured to image respective sections of the object, wherein said rows of imaging systems are staggered with respect to a linear direction of scan across the object, such that each of the imaging systems acquires image data corresponding to a respective continuous strip of the object along said linear direction of scan; providing a scanning mechanism for producing a relative movement between the microscope array and the object, said scanning mechanism operating continuously along said linear direction of scan across the object; calibrating said array microscope to derive correction factors for distortion in said image data; scanning the object to produce multiple adjacent image swaths of the object, each swath having a width defined by a field of view of a corresponding magnifying imaging system in the array and a length defined by said linear direction of scan across the object; applying said correction factors to said multiple image swaths to obtain multiple swaths of corrected images; and concatenating said multiple swaths of corrected images to produce a composite image of the object.