IMPROPER USE OF THE GREEN LASER POINTER

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This is exactly the kind of person that will get our lasers declared "ILLEGAL" and removed from the market.  We must make sure that we are very careful how we use the lasers so that regulators that have the power to ban their sale and use by unlicensed individuals--- such as amateur astronomers---do not find a way to make them illegal to own.  Blatant disregard for safety precautions must not be tolerated by local astro clubs.


For a complete transcript of the Channel 5 report go here. 


At the last LASS session I reminded members of the new $11,000 fine that can be levied for pointing a green laser pointer at aircraft.  Then just yesterday this news story broke on Channel 5.  Why don't we take a few minutes to review the proper and improper use of that great green laser that you have in your bag of tools for observing the night sky.


I refer to the green laser as a "tool" because that is exactly what it is to me.  It is not a toy nor is it to be used by folks that do not respect the power that it packs.  The lasers that we can legally buy for astronomy use have normally been limited to 5wM.  However, for just under $300 you can buy a 1000wM (1M) laser pointer. If you think that the 5wM lasers we normally use are powerful you should look up lasers on the net and get an eyeful (no pun intended). A 1M laser is capable of starting a fire, burning the skin, and even worse.  These powerful lasers are completely legal just like owning a 20MM automatic machine gun is legal but likewise they are very dangerous and should never be used at a star party.


For the sake of this discussion I want to limit the field to the 5mW laser that several of us in LASS own.  Typically this laser is capable of illuminating something at least 5 miles away.  Now I doubt that we could see the laser beam that far away but supposedly someone at that distance could see the light as it touched a wall or some similar object. The beam certainly isn't dangerous at that distance but as close range---anywhere up to probably 25 ft---the beam is capable of doing permanent eye damage.  PERMANENT DAMAGE---AS IN BLINDNESS.  That means it can't be fixed by glasses or any type of eye specialist. Anything that potentially dangerous needs to be handled with respect and caution.  


Let me review a couple of incidents---no matter how innocent they may have been---that I have observed on the LASS observing field. 
1. Letting someone who is not aware of the danger of the beam use your laser without first being told how to properly point the beam.
2. Pointing your beam very low over the heads of others as you are showing someone a target that you want to observe.  
3. Directing the beam toward nearby trees or buildings as a method of testing the batteries or power of your laser.
4. Directing the beam at any target that is low on the horizon without first making sure that no other observer is between you and the target you are aiming for.


Think of your laser beam as if it were a 45 cal. pistol and you are on the firing range.  Never point that pistol anywhere but down range. Always assume that it is loaded and capable of hurting someone nearby. It might be very stressful to me if you pointed that 45 at me even if you told me it wasn't loaded.  I might take action that would be very stressful to you.  Likewise, don't point that laser at anyone that you don't intend to do bodily harm to. They might want to retaliate in some physical way as well.


The 5wM green lasers that we use around the LASS observing site are totally safe if we use them in a responsible way.  The fellow in the video above used his laser in a very dangerous and irresponsible manner.  He even had the gall to say he would do it again if aircraft continued to bother him.  Maybe we can't be responsible for him but POSSIBLY--JUST POSSIBLY---a $11,000 fine might convince his that he shouldn't use the laser to chase off aircraft that he didn't think should be flying over his house.