Green Lasers - Be Careful Terrorism Concerns!

[tanichols]

All,

I've been "quiet" on this subject for a while and haven't wanted to bring it up.

But I want to issue a word of caution to all those with green laser pointers as I just saw another article about this on the front page of CNN.

View the below links and you'll see how big of an issue this is becoming.

I know people are using these to point out constellations, etc., but I'd be very careful that you're not pointing anywhere near an aircraft. Remember these things do have a range and it might be hard at night to gauge the altitude of a plane. You might think you're shooting under one when infact you're shooting right into it.

I don't think we want to see anyone doing public outreach getting arrested and with all the recent press it's only a matter of time till people start calling the police from a park or wherever after seeing someone from a distance pointing one up in the sky for Astro Uses.

Be Careful! I think it's only a matter of time till a crackdown on lasers happens.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/29/laser.pla...lane/index.html - Lasers illuminate airline cockpits on approach
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/09/terrorist...r.ap/index.html - US warns of terrorist lasers

And for those who have never read FAA rules regarding laser uses, go to the FAA website and search for lasers. I'm pretty sure the last time I did I found a document that stated any laser over 5mw required a permit for use. Do some research before buying some of these high powered units as you may be breaking the law!

I'm glad I don't own a green laser

Regards,
Ted A. Nichols II
President - ASH
www.astrohbg.org

[tanichols]

Please see the below responses I've received from others, including a response from a member of the Ilda (International Laser Display Association.)

I believe some people took or may take my "I'm glad I don't own a green laser" comment out of context in a way meaning I didn't find them valuable to "astronomy education."

While I don't own one, I used to, and I do see their value in astronomy education and public outreach. I do commonly use another's responsibly but felt no need to own one of my own anymore. Maybe I felt it was only a matter of time till I would be "limited" in my use of them. I also feel they're great for public outreach in this day and age, it allows you to really point out something to people, but I will point out plenty of people learned the constellations before the advent of green lasers.

I've seen too many people hit in the eye with one of these and with the price coming down saw that irresponsible use of these would soon be commonplace. The "red" laser pointer was a great thing until it got a bad rap from kids taking them to school or public places and "accidentally" shooting others in the eye with them. I remember countless lawsuits in this area from red laser incidents.

I also heard someone respond to my e-mail pretty peeved saying that every astronomer who owns one uses them responsibly. I think that's a questionable claim. No matter how responsibly someone tries to use them, accidents happen, and blatant misuse is bound to occur. I've seen some of the most "responsible" people accidentally beam something they hadn't intended too or out of curiosity point it at objects other than in the sky.

And yes, I will say that I saw people at a Star Party when these things first became popular trying to light up the belly of airplanes and cautioned those I saw doing it against that.

Here are some other interesting responses that have came out on other groups I belong too:

Two more high visibility reports came out today. One from Yahoo news and another in Denver. They stated "green lasers" in them.
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/041230/ap/d879nei00.html
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,3...2625514,00.html

And here's a interesting response from Rob a member of the ILDA:

"Hi Ted and Everyone,

I feel I should pipe in here. I spent some years working with lasers within the entertainment industry. And I'm still a member of Ilda (International Laser Display Association, which is based in the US) . While it is true in the US you need whats called a "Variance Permit" for each and every laser system you own and use publicly over 5mw, And if you get caught using one without a permit. You will be fined, and have your laser confiscated by the CDRH officers who are the people who police those laws within the US. The FAA got involved due too the incidents involving an aircraft.

We in the laser community have been following this story since it broke,mAlthough the CDRH andmFAA are not pointing the finger at our industry, they have asked for our help within the US. Infact I would be interested to hear from anyone with information regarding following incidences.

On 11/21/04 at 1925 PST, 3 miles north of San Diego, the Sanyo Blimp (N15AB) was illuminated by a green laser reported to San Diego Tower, no injury.

On 12/6/04 at 2026 PST, 5 miles southwest of San Jose at 6000 feet, Southwest 2659 (B737) reported a green laser illuminated the cockpit, no injury. The co-pilot did complain of eye irritation.

However I would like to say a 5mw laser IS NOT a high powered laser, these devices are commonly found in laser pointers, scanning devices in your local supermarket and the like. Actually 5mw would be the biggest of these devices they are usually around the .25mw range. It is never advisable to point such a devices into the eyes of anyone's, even at these lower powers. The is allot to consider and there has been great discussion within the laser community. Regarding the ability to bring down an aircraft with a laser by blinding the pilots. And I could sit here and type out all the variables, beam convergence, power drop off, and not to mention the ability to be able
to accurately track an aircrafts cockpit window 6000 feet in the air traveling at xxxkph, just to name just a few. Even if you use a 20-40watt laser, now these systems can do real damage. You can swing you hand past the nose of a 20watt laser turned up to full power and receive a 3rd degree burn across your hand, 20-30 meters down the track you will still be able to light a cigarette off the beam, but a 6000 feet the beam will have blown out to several feet in diameter losing allot of it power, I also might add that 20watt laser can fire a beam some 50kms depending on atmospheric conditions.

Although it has never occurred to me that an amateur astronomer maybe either by accident or on purpose be involved in these incidences. It is something that Ilda will now consider.

So if anyone knows of anyone playing with these devices in such a way. I would really like to hear about it. As it is these types of incidents that can bring down the laser
industry within the US.

We in the laser community feel that the media is blowing this out of proportion (through not being educated about lasers, and also paranoia from the current administration. I guess the US needs to look at all the possibilities."

Anyways, this is a very interesting issue and I'm enjoying reading the responses I'm hearing. Happy New Years to Everyone!

Regards,
Ted A. Nichols II
President - ASH
www.astrohbg.org