FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Recent information on laser pointers

["Peg & Sam" <peg.sam2@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yes, it appears that 5 mW or less are Class IIIa and anything greater than 5 
mW may be problematic depending on state laws. I did check on AZ and 
couldn't find anything when searching for "laser". I will be watching a bit 
more closely to make sure our legislators don't try to regulate the use of 
lasers without some form of opposition on my part.

Unfortunately, all we need is another idiot or two who flash an aircraft and 
have the media blow it out of proportion to a point that someone drafts a 
bill.

Again, the point of my original post was to inform rather than alarm. I was 
just surprised that FDA regulates lasers for non-medical use.

Sam Rua
http:\\www.balinka.com\astronomy.htm

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Howard C. Anderson" <handy13@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 10:08 AM
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Recent information on laser pointers


> Hi,
> It appears from the cited document that Class IIIa and lower power are
> OK?  I see one in the
> current Orion catalog that is Class IIIa.
>
> Now for really high-power lasers, consider
> http://laserstars.org/history/gasdynamic.html
>
>    "Large scale 135 Kilowatt gasdynamic laser at Avco Everett Research
>    Lab,
>    Inc. was among the first very high power lasers. Initially this
>    research was
>    classified by the U.S. government, even today information on these
>    types of
>    lasers is scarce. (Gerry, 1970)"
>
> I see veiled references to gigawatt per square centimeter considerations
> on at least one internet site
> but it appears that information on really high power lasers is extremely
> limited...
>
> Just kind of interesting....
>
> -- 
>
> Thanks,
>
> Howard     (in Tempe, Arizona)
> http://www.astroshow.com
> http://www.azcendant.com


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