Pointing lasers in the sky (astronomy)

[lardtazium]

How safe is this? I've seen news stories of people accidentally, or purposefully shining a laser into a planes cockpit and forcing it to land. I love go out on a dark night and look at the stars. It also looks really cool having a big bright green beam traveling into the heavens, but whats the chance that I hit a plane?


Planes usually have lights, so it should be safe. I just want to make sure

 

[Prototype]

Just make sure there are none in the sky, most problems occur during takeoff/landing because that's when the cockpit of the plane is most vulnerable, but you'll still get thrown in jail for lasing even the bottom of a plane.

 

[Razako]

Look out for any stars that appear to be moving rapidly. In any event there's probably no danger if the plane is so high up that you can't even tell it's a plane.

 

[RoDnSuE]

I was out the other night doing this as well when I noticed a VERY HIGH altitude plane.
I couldn't even hear the plane since it was so high.
I immediately got nervious and went inside with my laser. Better safe than sorry/in jail.

 

[Paulingtons]

If you have an iPhone, get an app called "Plane Finder".

It works in most territories (Definitely in the UK, Europe and USA) and its shows all commercial aircraft above you, very helpful.