RE: [Utah-astronomy] Green laser backlash
Regarding sources, I can't help much. I paid too much for my green laser at RTMC, but it has built-in red and white LED lights, as well, so the cost was offset somewhat. It was a bit of a compulsive purchase, I must admit. I also wonder about eye damage. Since the maximum output is supposedly the same as for red lights (5ma) how would a green laser be any worse than the red? -----Original Message----- From: Lambert, Aaron [mailto:Aaron.Lambert@Williams.com] Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 10:55 AM To: Visit http://www.utahastronomy.com for the photo gallery. Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Green laser backlash Hello all, Just delurking here for a moment... For those of you who own green lasers already, where have found the best place to purchase them are? The best price I have seen is EBay for around $70. I always wonder about the quality, etc of EBay items that are mass-sold, though. I have considered buying one so it is easier to point out constellations for my kids (ages <= 6) and for youth groups (ages between 12 and 18). Pointing with my finger works pretty well for showing one or two people, but I have tried that while camping with a group of 10+ and they cannot all follow my arm and finger very well. Also, I understand that they are fairly dangerous in that they can cause severe eye damage if the beam hits someone in the eye. Is this true? Obviously I wouldn't intentionally let a kid (old or young) get a hold of one, but I remember being fairly curious and resourceful as a teenager... :) Anyway, I would appreciate any comments or insights from the group. Thanks, Aaron Lambert _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
--- Kim Hyatt <khyatt@smithlayton.com> wrote:
I also wonder about eye damage. Since the maximum output is supposedly the same as for red lights (5ma) how would a green laser be any worse than the red?
They can all be dangerous. While 5mw may seem small, remember that the energy is coherent, meaning a little bit packs a large punch. There are documented cases of brief eye exposure causing temporary vision loss. I am unaware personally of a case of permanent vision loss. But this does raise liability issues. The user of a laser pointer must excercise extreme caution, and be fully aware that they may find themselves at the wrong end of a lawsuit. You might compare the risk with that of solar observing. Use the equipment intelligently, and there won't be any problems. Let it get away from you, or stop paying attention for a moment, and there could be trouble. C. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
Eye damage can occur with green lasers. They are more dangerous than red ones. I read about an amateur astronomer causing some problems with a friend's eye when he was trying to collimate a scope with a green laser. You eye's involuntary closing should help some but it isn't 100 percent effective. Clear Skies Don Colton -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com]On Behalf Of Kim Hyatt Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 11:00 AM To: 'Visit http://www.utahastronomy.com for the photo gallery.' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Green laser backlash Regarding sources, I can't help much. I paid too much for my green laser at RTMC, but it has built-in red and white LED lights, as well, so the cost was offset somewhat. It was a bit of a compulsive purchase, I must admit. I also wonder about eye damage. Since the maximum output is supposedly the same as for red lights (5ma) how would a green laser be any worse than the red? -----Original Message----- From: Lambert, Aaron [mailto:Aaron.Lambert@Williams.com] Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 10:55 AM To: Visit http://www.utahastronomy.com for the photo gallery. Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Green laser backlash Hello all, Just delurking here for a moment... For those of you who own green lasers already, where have found the best place to purchase them are? The best price I have seen is EBay for around $70. I always wonder about the quality, etc of EBay items that are mass-sold, though. I have considered buying one so it is easier to point out constellations for my kids (ages <= 6) and for youth groups (ages between 12 and 18). Pointing with my finger works pretty well for showing one or two people, but I have tried that while camping with a group of 10+ and they cannot all follow my arm and finger very well. Also, I understand that they are fairly dangerous in that they can cause severe eye damage if the beam hits someone in the eye. Is this true? Obviously I wouldn't intentionally let a kid (old or young) get a hold of one, but I remember being fairly curious and resourceful as a teenager... :) Anyway, I would appreciate any comments or insights from the group. Thanks, Aaron Lambert _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
participants (3)
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Chuck Hards -
Don J. Colton -
Kim Hyatt