why is a laser beam easier seen coming at you then going away from you?

Question

Usually the side of an object facing the beam is illuminated therefore making the beam more visible if it's direction of travel is away from you. However in the case of the laser during fog or heavy smoke the laser is more clearly seen when it's direction of travel is toward you as if it illuminates the back sides of microscopic particles in the air. how is this possible and why?? this would almost make laser sights for guns more dangerous for the user cause it'll identify clearly tot he opponent where your location is.

Answer 1

Since the LASER can only be seen if there are particles in the air for the light to bounce off, generally laser sights are not seen at all, but the shooter sees the red dot on the mark. I think it just depends on angle whether you seem to see the laser better from coming or going.

Answer 2

Laser light is intense so you only see it when shining at you- when shining away from you you only see reflected light i.e. much weaker.

Laser guns are hard to see because the laser beam is so narrow that you only see it if the beam is shining in your eyes - and the beam is normally directed at the body. This is unlike a searchlight for instance where the beam is spread over a wide area so can be seen over a wide area. In fog, of course the light is dispersed so you can see the beam.

Answer 3

In a photon collision with a particle, the probability of a small scattering angle is greater than for a large scattering angle.

And yes, laser sights aren't used by most snipers for -exactly- that reason.

Doug

Answer 4

The pulse time is very short and u will not see it most of the time.