It is not what I have seen but just heard. I don't know if it is true or not. I have heard that a laser beam is strong enough to be used in the dark sky. I am really astonished, When i use a torch, I can feel the final contact point where the beam converges to form a round image. The round image it not formed until the beam strikes some opaque object. Is it same with the laser beam or is it different? Doesn't it need any such thing to indicate the final contact point, where the beam converges? Please tell me what happens when a powerful laser beam is shown up to the dark sky.
2006-07-01 15:12:30 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
For some cool photos...
Check out: http://www.llnl.gov/urp/science/lgs_www/lgs_south_vault.html
Also check out... http://www.llnl.gov/str/June02/Pennington.html
They use it to create an artificial star.
It is a great bug zapper, a moth flies in and no noise, just smoke.
2006-07-01 15:18:35 · answer #1 · answered by ic3d2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends. Isnt that a great answer.
If the laser works at a wavelength that the atmosphere doesnt absorb reflect or scatter then you wouldnt see it if it were a Gigawatt laser.
If the laser is very easily absorbed, and its powerful enough to heat the air to glow.. then you would see the heated air column. Lasers like this tend to be self-steering (the plasma directs the beam).
If the laser is easily absorbed but not powerful enough to heat the air, then you might get a little scatter from dust, or something else.
I've pointed a milliwatt HeNe into a dark nightsky and not seen it. I was in a clean air-shed though, so there wasnt much scattering.
2006-07-01 15:23:34 · answer #2 · answered by Curly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the scoop:
I didn't read all the previous posters but
folks were probably talking to you about light scattering off dust and the like, which is true buuut...
Gitcherself a 15mW green laser pointer, tape it to the side of your telescope, and you've got a kickass alignment system
Pointing a laser skyward for astronomical reasons is not illegal
however
POINTING ONE AT AIRPLANES IS!
and yes, go for green (way more visible beam-wise)
a ballsey green laser will be all kinds of visible on-axis and probably quite visible from the side as well
and since you've asked about lasers and I've kinda taken to pimpin these guys out:
http://www.laserglow.com/index.html
2006-07-04 04:30:12 · answer #3 · answered by nowyermessingwithasonofabitch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laser beams at like any other form of light. In order to see it, it has to be reflected off of something. Air will reflect light at certain wavelengths (due to quantum rotation and vibration properties) and not others.
A laser beam can be used at any time of day. The big question is will you see it? If wavelengths used in the laser are condusive to atmospheric reflection, then yes. Otherwise, you have to wait until it hits something that it does, which might not happen at all.
2006-07-01 15:59:43 · answer #4 · answered by Ѕємι~Мαđ ŠçїєŋŧιѕТ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
regular laser beam is not strong enough to illuminate object, if you are thinking about using a laser beam to aim at the sky, then I recommend you not to because it is illegal to do that. Laser aim at the sky can actually blind a pilot's vision temporarily and cause bad things to happen.
2006-07-01 15:18:22 · answer #5 · answered by through103 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it depends on the atmosphere. You can see the light beam if there are particles in the air. (Tyndall Effect) *did i get the spelling right?* the dust particles scatter the light beams or the light, and the effect is you can see the beam across the sky. =) hehe...
but i dont think the "batman effect" really works. hehe =)
2006-07-01 15:32:40 · answer #6 · answered by troooy88 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as the beam passes through moisture and gasses associated with our atmosphere a person can see it untill it travels past them. as you well know light from stars can be seen from earth so the light doesn't converge into one point but rather goes on indefinitely
2006-07-02 16:13:42 · answer #7 · answered by dab_oft 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
faith in God is the biggest factor. while i mandatory God the main while cases for me have been rather undesirable God spoke back my prayers. while My kin became scuffling with and abusing me God have been given me out of that concern and right into a lots better place. i'm now married and that i consistently wanted slightly woman. I prayed and that i became sent a captivating little woman. God is stunning, in case you call and pray for Jesus and your in choose of help, he listens to each prayer.
2016-12-08 14:49:38 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if dere r dust particles in de sky u might be able to c de laser..
2006-07-01 15:19:19 · answer #9 · answered by baboon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋