Posted on 08/01/2006 1:49:59 PM PDT by looscnnn
A 19-year-old man was arrested after authorities said he shined a laser pointer at a police helicopter.
The bright green laser beamed into the cockpit late Monday night, temporarily blinding the officers, said Melissa Klein, an NYPD spokeswoman.
Police arrested Anthony Pepe a short time later, and charged him with reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, Klein said.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
They use a form of the Minority Report.
They need to put warnings on these things.
May I suggest:
"Do not stare into laser beam with remaining eye"
The green laser is more powerful than the ones you speak of.
Its a specialty product primarily used at night by folks with an astronomical bent as it actually sends a beam of light upwards into the sky that looks as if you are pointing at a star on the heavens.
It can damage vision and it certainly affects night vision and should not be pointed at anyones eyes.
Thanks to numbnuts like this guy its use is already covered under some portion of the patriot act, or at least thats the warning I received with mine.
Click here 1.1mb wmv file.
bump,bump,bump...bumpbumpbump,bump. You forgot to include the music.
LASER
Now that is out of the way, Michael Jonah and Timothy Reiffer were blinded by laser pointers.
By definition a laser pointer is not capable of blinding anyone.
That isn't a laser pointer.
Lots of things can temporarily blind someone. A hand-held mirror, a flashlight in the dark, high-beams from oncoming traffic... Are these "weapons" as well?
And causing permanent blindness with a laser pointer at long range is a far-fetched idea.
They probably thought they were being targeted and made up the part about being blinded.
The laser you are describing is what is known as a 1/2 wave NdYAG laser. Yes, they are very dangerous if mis-used.
You my think it is a far fetched idea. But if you understood the simple physics behind the power that these laser pointers can generate, you would know that they CAN permanently burn the retina.
But even so, how long do you want your pilot to be blinded while making a landing?
Per OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
Nonionizing radiation. - 1926.54
...Employees shall not be exposed to light intensities above:
(j)(1) Direct staring: 1 micro-watt per square centimeter;
(j)(2) Incidental observing: 1 milliwatt per square centimeter;
(j)(3) Diffused reflected light: 2 1/2 watts per square centimeter
These 100mW range green lasers can generate powers far greater than these standards. Further, if you don't believe me, consider the following: http://vision.about.com/od/eyesafety/a/laserpointereye.htm.
Note this section of the article:
Mayo Clinic ophthalmologists made the discovery after exposing a diseased eye about to be surgically removed to green laser pointer light. Archives of Ophthalmology (May 2005) reported findings that green laser light damaged pigmented cells within the retina, the inner layer of the back of the eye where images are processed. Damage occurs with as little as 60 seconds of exposure.
From your own post.
Now, tell me how a person on the ground is going to keep their laser pointer aimed steadily at the retina of a pilot in a moving aircraft for 60 seconds plus? It just. Can't. Happen.
Is it a distraction and safety hazzard? Absolutely. Should they be punished for that? Of course. But to classify a laser pointer as a weapon? Puh-LEEZE.
I can cause damage with my magnifying glass in less than sixty seconds, if the target will hold still long enough.
A 'bright green' laser is not a toy bought at a convenient store.
Then why does the ad referenced in the previous post state that they are dangerous?
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040928-111356-3924r.htm
Naval Lt. Cmdr. Jack Daly and Canadian helicopter pilot Capt. Pat Barnes
Are you happy now? We are not talking about the little red laser cat toys. These are weapon lights, that used to cost over a thousand dollars. They are now available for a few hundred. I was able to use one to light up a cell tower over 500 yards away with a very visible dot. Try that with your mini-mart pointer.
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