Use of green lasers at Public Star parties?

Hi all,

Are there any societies out there in the UK, or further a field, who use
green laser pointers at public star parties to guide the public around the
night sky?

If so, can you share your experiences with me please? How effective are
they? Any tips or problems?

We are getting one for use in the York AS, and we know about the common
safety issues such as avoiding aircraft and spoiling astro imaging, etc, not
to mention the obvious one of keeping it away from people in general, but
wondered of anyone has some good advice or experiences they could share with
us.

Thanks for your time.

Very best wishes and clear, dark skies.

--

/Paul Buglass, York, UK. - Chairman York AS.
http://homepages.tesco.net/paul.buglass/astrohome.htm
York Astronomical Society
www.yorkastro.co.uk

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 16:00:26 +0000 (UTC), "Paul Buglass"
paul.removethisandthisbuglassalsothis2005@btinter net.com wrote:

Are there any societies out there in the UK, or further a field, who use
green laser pointers at public star parties to guide the public around the
night sky?

If so, can you share your experiences with me please? How effective are
they? Any tips or problems?

We are getting one for use in the York AS, and we know about the common
safety issues such as avoiding aircraft and spoiling astro imaging, etc, not
to mention the obvious one of keeping it away from people in general, but
wondered of anyone has some good advice or experiences they could share with
us.

The only experience I've had at them has been during Sky at Night film
shoots in Patrick's garden. They are extremely effective at pointing
things out but can interfere with imagers if you're not careful.

It's a good idea to keep well clear of trees and building too. The
'flash-back' is extremely bright!

--
Pete
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk

Hello,

Here in Geneva we use them very often with public around.... They are
really GREAT to show DSO in the sky....... And now you can give 5 or
more binoculars to the public, and then you point a dso in the sky and
then you shut the laser down and every one can watch DSO or asterism
though binos........ Before it was impossible to use binos..... really
great..... No trouble for other watchers..... your laser will be
visible only around you about 2-3 meters..... Really great agn... We
usually use 4 to 5 lasers at the same time without any trouble..

Green Laser is really a MUST...

here is a nice adress to order them:
http://www.apinex.com/ret2/glp5an.html
really nice shop very quick..

Good luck


On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 16:00:26 +0000 (UTC), "Paul Buglass"
paul.removethisandthisbuglassalsothis2005@btinter net.com wrote:

Hi all,

Are there any societies out there in the UK, or further a field, who use
green laser pointers at public star parties to guide the public around the
night sky?

If so, can you share your experiences with me please? How effective are
they? Any tips or problems?

We are getting one for use in the York AS, and we know about the common
safety issues such as avoiding aircraft and spoiling astro imaging, etc, not
to mention the obvious one of keeping it away from people in general, but
wondered of anyone has some good advice or experiences they could share with
us.

Thanks for your time.

Very best wishes and clear, dark skies.
Best Greetings From SWITZERLAND
Philippe HAAKE
ICQ 3128404
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/album/index.htm
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/meteo
http://www.astro-ge.net/


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I've used a green laser pointing things out to friends and neighbours
with great success. However, they do need to be standing fairly close-by.

So far as interfering with imagers, I've tried a few experiments myself
(both with a "real" astro CCD and a DSLR) and not seen any trails.

One question: why would anyone attempt any "serious" imaging at a
public gathering? The possibility of something ruining it (stray
lights from the uninitiated, accidental knocks, people standing in
the view etc) is so high there can't be much expectation of getting
a good result.
Obviously, demo imaging is a different matter, to show people what's
possible. Here the possibility is no worse than a stray aircraft/meteor.

Pete

On 2005-08-15, Paul Buglass paul.removethisandthisbuglassalsothis2005@btinter net.com wrote:
Hi all,

Are there any societies out there in the UK, or further a field, who use
green laser pointers at public star parties to guide the public around the
night sky?

If so, can you share your experiences with me please? How effective are
they? Any tips or problems?

We are getting one for use in the York AS, and we know about the common
safety issues such as avoiding aircraft and spoiling astro imaging, etc, not
to mention the obvious one of keeping it away from people in general, but
wondered of anyone has some good advice or experiences they could share with
us.

Thanks for your time.

Very best wishes and clear, dark skies.

--

/Paul Buglass, York, UK. - Chairman York AS.
http://homepages.tesco.net/paul.buglass/astrohome.htm
York Astronomical Society
www.yorkastro.co.uk






--
.................................................. .........................
.. never trust a man who, when left alone ...... Pete Lynch .
.. in a room with a tea cosy ...... Marlow, England .
.. doesn't try it on (Billy Connolly) .....................................

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 18:46:36 GMT, Peter Lynch
wrote:

I've used a green laser pointing things out to friends and neighbours
with great success. However, they do need to be standing fairly close-by.

So far as interfering with imagers, I've tried a few experiments myself
(both with a "real" astro CCD and a DSLR) and not seen any trails.

The trouble with imagers is that they always know best ;-)

http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/temp/green-laser.jpg

The next time you hear a certain celebrity astronomer talking about
Capella - you'll know who was holding that laser!

One question: why would anyone attempt any "serious" imaging at a
public gathering? The possibility of something ruining it (stray
lights from the uninitiated, accidental knocks, people standing in
the view etc) is so high there can't be much expectation of getting
a good result.
Obviously, demo imaging is a different matter, to show people what's
possible. Here the possibility is no worse than a stray aircraft/meteor.

Depends on the meet. I was trying to grab some shots for the April S@N
star party. I was going for M51 and someone in the main dome was
trying to point a 15" scope at it. They used a laser to guide them.
Every few seconds I had a green flashing line in my fov. A couple of
times you can live with, 20 or more starts to get slightly stressful.
Like most things in life, consideration for others is required.

--
Pete
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk
Recent images http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/recent/recent_images.html
** Last update June 24 2005 **

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 20:04:50 +0100, Pete Lawrence
wrote:

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 18:46:36 GMT, Peter Lynch
wrote:

I've used a green laser pointing things out to friends and neighbours
with great success. However, they do need to be standing fairly close-by.

So far as interfering with imagers, I've tried a few experiments myself
(both with a "real" astro CCD and a DSLR) and not seen any trails.

The trouble with imagers is that they always know best ;-)

http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/temp/green-laser.jpg
Hello,

Seing this picture I can tell you that this greenlaser must be much
more powerfull than those we use here... (less than 5mw) This one has
a very big beam, and could'nt be 5mw. We can even see 4-5 beams....

Itis why you can see it on the picture.....

Let's be resonable...... don't use such power.......

Best Greetings From SWITZERLAND
Philippe HAAKE
ICQ 3128404
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/album/index.htm
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/meteo
http://www.astro-ge.net/


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On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:39:06 +0200, Philippe HAAKE
wrote:

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 20:04:50 +0100, Pete Lawrence
wrote:

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 18:46:36 GMT, Peter Lynch
wrote:

I've used a green laser pointing things out to friends and neighbours
with great success. However, they do need to be standing fairly close-by.

So far as interfering with imagers, I've tried a few experiments myself
(both with a "real" astro CCD and a DSLR) and not seen any trails.

The trouble with imagers is that they always know best ;-)

http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/temp/green-laser.jpg
Hello,

Seing this picture I can tell you that this greenlaser must be much
more powerfull than those we use here... (less than 5mw) This one has
a very big beam, and could'nt be 5mw. We can even see 4-5 beams....

Itis why you can see it on the picture.....

Let's be resonable...... don't use such power.......

To be fair, the reason that it's so powerful is probably so that it
shows up on TV! I wouldn't know the difference between a weak and
powerful one as I don't use them.
--
Pete
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk
Recent images http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/recent/recent_images.html
** Last update June 24 2005 **

I'd have to side with Pete on this one. I've got a 5mw Laser which I can
use for star pointing. A few days ago I tried using the beam to align the
scope on target, then for laughs, I looked though the scope and could
plainly see the beam! OK, it wasn't as sharp at in Pete's photo but it was
easily seen. These pointers are a great teaching aid, so at public
gathering they're great for showing people where to look. However, a little
coutesy is needed - it doesn't take long to shout a question "Anyone mind if
I shine a Laser?" OK, it's a bit crude, but nevertheless effective.
Obviously, any objection and that's the laser put away for the night.

Another approach is that Lasers get used in the early part of the evening,
during twilight and maybe a little while after, but not long. After this
time, no lights of any kind. That way everyone wins.

Regards

Colin Dawson
www.cjdawson.com

"Pete Lawrence" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:39:06 +0200, Philippe HAAKE
wrote:

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 20:04:50 +0100, Pete Lawrence
wrote:

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 18:46:36 GMT, Peter Lynch
wrote:

I've used a green laser pointing things out to friends and neighbours
with great success. However, they do need to be standing fairly
close-by.

So far as interfering with imagers, I've tried a few experiments myself
(both with a "real" astro CCD and a DSLR) and not seen any trails.

The trouble with imagers is that they always know best ;-)

http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/temp/green-laser.jpg
Hello,

Seing this picture I can tell you that this greenlaser must be much
more powerfull than those we use here... (less than 5mw) This one has
a very big beam, and could'nt be 5mw. We can even see 4-5 beams....

Itis why you can see it on the picture.....

Let's be resonable...... don't use such power.......

To be fair, the reason that it's so powerful is probably so that it
shows up on TV! I wouldn't know the difference between a weak and
powerful one as I don't use them.
--
Pete
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk
Recent images http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/recent/recent_images.html
** Last update June 24 2005 **

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 20:12:57 GMT, "Colin Dawson"
wrote:

I'd have to side with Pete on this one. I've got a 5mw Laser which I can
use for star pointing. A few days ago I tried using the beam to align the
scope on target, then for laughs, I looked though the scope and could
plainly see the beam!

That's normal......... but if you try to see it , let's say 3-4m away,
I'm nearls sure you would'nt see anything at all........

Best Greetings From SWITZERLAND
Philippe HAAKE
ICQ 3128404
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/album/index.htm
http://astrosurf.com/skylover/meteo
http://www.astro-ge.net/


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On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 22:30:42 +0200, Philippe HAAKE
wrote:

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 20:12:57 GMT, "Colin Dawson"
wrote:

I'd have to side with Pete on this one. I've got a 5mw Laser which I can
use for star pointing. A few days ago I tried using the beam to align the
scope on target, then for laughs, I looked though the scope and could
plainly see the beam!

That's normal......... but if you try to see it , let's say 3-4m away,
I'm nearls sure you would'nt see anything at all........

Actually, for the beam in my photo, my camera was set just behind
Patrick and so was looking along the beam. My photo makes it look like
the beam is sweeping the sky like a searchlight but this was not the
case. It may be that the laser he is using is a normal powered one.
I'll try and find out.

--
Pete
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk
Recent images http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/recent/recent_images.html
** Last update June 24 2005 **