[AZ-Observing] Re: 2005 All Arizona Messier Marathon

Mike, I'm trying to keep from having to post some sort of "official" 
position on the laser pointers.  I believe they are not that intrusive 
for observers more that 20 feet away and I believe no one is the least 
bit interested in pointing at any kind of airplane.  Furthermore I don't 
expect they will be pointed at observers or any living terrestrial 
object, especially people.  Nor would we expect them to be aimed at Kitt 
Peak observatories.  I have this feeling that people showing up at the 
marathon, wheather they marathon or not, are responsible enough to have 
common sense on where to and where not to point.

The only problem I foresee is someone taking an astrophoto or astroimage 
of the same area the laser is pointed.  How much will it interfere with 
the image?  I don't know.  Does it take only a fraction of a second, a 
few seconds or is there no problem at all?  Any ideas, comments or 
experience here?

Thanks, clear skies and good question,
aj
http://www.saguaroastro.org/

Michael Wiles wrote:

>On a different note, has the AAMM adopted an official position regarding the 
>use of laser pointers this weekend?  My eight year old daughter has become the 
>first of my children to show an interest in astronomy and I intend to bring 
>her with me this weekend.  She's very excited about using her "own telescope" 
>(Orion 4.5" f/4 Starblast) to locate objects throughout the night with me.  I 
>intend to use my laser pointer here and there to direct her to different 
>objects to look at as we observe together.
>
>I expect the use of the laser pointer to be minimal, but as we've learned over 
>the last few weeks, it only takes one overly dramatic airline pilot to turn a 
>laser pointer into the "death star".
>
>Mike
>
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