Green Lasers - Be Careful Terrorism Concerns!

From: Ted Nichols II (tanicholsii_at_comcast.net)
Date: 12/30/04 

Date: 29 Dec 2004 23:32:51 -0800

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.plane/index.html - Lasers
illuminate airline cockpits on approach
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/09/terrorist.laser.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