FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Instant criminals

["Tom Polakis" <tpolakis@xxxxxxx>]

Thad hit on the main point: how could one possibly track a vehicle that's 
moving so fast?  Also, consider the size of an amateur astronomer's laser 
at the typical distance to an airplane viewed from an observing site.  
Even when we used to set up at Buckeye Hills, where flights came overhead 
on final approach, their altitude was still several miles.  The laser is 
visible at this distance, but if I understand the stories from the Grand 
Canyos Star Party North/South Rim laser wars, the beam of a consumer laser 
diverges at a pretty great angle.  Wouldn't the spot be several feet in 
diameter at the typical airplane distance of seven-plus miles?

Most points in this discussion have already been made on sci.astro.amateur 
in the past week.  You might look here:

http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search?hl=en

Search the group sci.astro.amateur for the past week, using keywords such 
as laser.  Mixed in with the noisy posts are some interesting pieces of 
information.

Tom





> Jeffmight@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> >It seems the first arrest of a person using a laser to attempt to 
disable  an
> >airliner is an amateur astronomer who "used it to point out stars to my
> >daughter". I wonder how long it will be before someone we know is put 
through
> >this ordeal i.e. trying to prove their innocence to the federal 
government. I
> >hope they give us a special section at Guantanamo Bay.
> >
>
>
> Jeff, do you have a link to the article?
>
> Because it's raining, and astronomy has been really quiet of late, I'm
> going to risk some
> (attempted) logical thinking out loud here....
> (PLEASE NOTE>>> I am skipping ALL of the political context of this
> discussion and
> moving straight on to the mechanics behind the incidents.  I'm not
> questioning anybody's
> thoughts, theories, political leanings, etc, so if this thread turns
> ugly, don't blame
> me....I simply want to discuss the topic below.)
>
> I've heard rumblings that the planes in question were being "tracked"
> with the lasers.
> It would be interesting to know how well they were tracked, though I
> doubt we'll
> ever know.  Seems to me that if  the guy really was "pointing out
> stars", then the pilots
> would have *maybe* noticed *one* flash.  (And would any of us even
> consider pointing
> a green laser anywhere near a moving aircraft?)  So if the pilots noted
> more than one flash,
> then I'd have to say the guys story is bunk.  Not that it helps
> astronomers any.....indeed
> the damage has already been done.
>
> Added bonus thoughts....How big is a cockpit window?  How much control
> would someone from
> say, a mile or two, have to possess to point a laser in that area, even
> momentarily, while it's moving
> at a few hundred mph?  Is it feasible to think that someone *could* do
> it by *hand*?
>
> I know there are some pilots in the group, what are your thoughts?
>
> Just bored on a Tuesday afternoon,
> Thad
>
>
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