Beam visibility

[ls90]

I've just purchased a 50mw green laser which I'm having great fun with. Obviously I can see the beam when shining it at night, and obviously anyone can see the dot; but how close do people need to be to me before they too can see the beam? I'm paranoid that in using it I'm annoying the whole town with it!

Thanks in advance

 

[daguin]

I've just purchased a 50mw green laser which I'm having great fun with. Obviously I can see the beam when shining it at night, and obviously anyone can see the dot; but how close do people need to be to me before they too can see the beam? I'm paranoid that in using it I'm annoying the whole town with it!
Thanks in advance

I don't know if you're annoying them, but they can see it.  Of course it depends on how big "the whole town" is. Have someone else shine the laser into the sky with you standing a ways off to the side (down the street,etc.).  You will have a better idea of how well your position is "marked" by the laser beam.

Peace,
dave

 

[Switch]

Don't worry about that. The beam only appears really bright when looking down the beam(like you are when you're holding the laser).If someone's view is perpendicular or at a nearly perpendicular to the beam they won't even notice it in normal atmospheric conditions.

The beam is even brighter when lookin down the beam towards the source.This is because of the way light is scatterd by air and other particles in the air.

 

[Sefrez]

Wouldn't it be awesome if you shined your laser into the sky, then someone else did too. And then you talked though flashes? (morse code)

 

[Switch]

Wouldn't it be awesome if you shined your laser into the sky, then someone else did too. And then you talked though flashes? (morse code)

Probably possible but you'd need powerfull lasers.

 

[VW]

I don't know, that seems kind of sexual...

 

[laserlover]

that would be pretty awesome!