A few months ago I got into an argument on TikTok about this. Some guy posted a video where he pretended to shine a laser pointer at a plane during the day, along with his mugshot and a news story about getting arrested for it. It was clearly a joke/photoshopped because the news story said it happened at midnight.

The argument was about a couple things. 1. Would such a low power laser actually be able to hit an aircraft? And 2. My line of thinking is, it’s dangerous to do it at night because the light scatters when it hits the windows and can impair the pilots vision. Would there actually be any similar danger during the day (besides if it hit the pilots eyes directly)?

I know it’s illegal af regardless, maybe it could mess with sensors or cameras or something. But I’m curious if my assumptions are wrong.

  • TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz
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    1 year ago

    I doubt they would be able to see it. Low powered red lasers are pretty harmless even close up, let alone after spreading and being absorbed by air for a few kms

    • david@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      Don’t. Just don’t. Don’t ever. Doesn’t matter how safe you think it is in your armchair. Just don’t. And don’t encourage it or minimise it.