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And mine is only a 5 mW laser. 600 mW (!) hand-held green lasers are being advertised for sale to the public, few of whom understand physical concepts like solid angles and luminance.

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Certified Laser Pointer Users/Spotters must fill out this form after an event at which laser pointers were used. You must be logged into your member account to access the form.

The RASC provides training to its members on the safe usage of laser pointers for astronomical outreach. For details on the program and certification process, check out our Program Guide. Note that to access some items linked in the Program Guide, you must be certified as a Centre Trainer or National Instructor. More information about our Laser Pointer Certification Program is included below.

Over the last decade, the striking ethereal glow of laser pointers (sometimes referred to as Green Laser Pointers, or GLPs) has become a familiar sight at astronomy education and public outreach (EPO) events, from star parties for beginners to sky-at-night tours around astronomical installations. With the beam of a laser pointer an astronomy educator can direct an audience unerringly to a specific object - planet, meteor-shower radiant, star, asterism, constellation, or nebula. The very light of the laser pointer itself can seem to confer an enhanced authority on the EPO instructor. The laser pointer remains one of the coolest tools in the amateur's instrument case - but only if used responsibly. Laser pointers are tools not toys, and their misuse can lead to serious harm.

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At the wavelength of the peak sensitivity for bright-adapted (photopic) vision (555 nm): 1 watt produces 683 lumens (p. 36 of the Observer's Handbook).

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I note in the recent flurry of emails on Green Laser Pointers, that some people seem to underestimate the hazard these devices pose if aimed at someone, particularly from a distance of several kilometres. I did some calculations for my 5 milliwatt green laser and arrived at these results:

To put the latter number into perspective, the luminance of the surface of the Sun = 1.9 x 109 cd/m2, so my green laser has 2,600 times the luminance (surface brightness) of the Sun.

As of May 2021, logging into the website is accomplished using the email address you have associated with your RASC membership and not the Username you may have created previously. If this is your first time logging in since this change, you will need to use the Forgot Password link after entering your email address so that you can be properly set up in the system. We appreciate your patience.

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From a distance of 320 km (for example, from the ISS) my green laser will appear as bright as the planet Jupiter (neglecting atmospheric absorption). Thus, at "everyday" distances (several kilometres or less) a 5 mW green laser is going to be damn bright, and a major hazard to anyone whose attention is needed elsewhere, like a pilot or the driver of a car, especially at night.

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The RASC has worked with Transport Canada to ensure laser pointer use for astronomical purposes is legal and safe. The RASC has authorisation from Transport Canada to train and certify our members to safely and legally use laser pointers for astronomy. Any individual, RASC member or otherwise, can use a laser pointer for astronomy provided they either:

Under the Canadian Aeronautics Act, conviction for laser flashing an aircraft carries maximum penalties of a five-year prison term, and a $100,000 fine: https://tc.canada.ca/en/campaigns/aiming-laser-aircraft-not-bright-idea.

By following these rules, RASC members will reduce the chance of an unfortunate incident involving laser pointers, and will demonstrate due diligence while leading public astronomical activities. To become a certified user/spotter, contact your Centre.

It is the Centre's responsibility to ensure that all laser pointer users and spotters are trained according to RASC guidelines.

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R.A. Rosenfeld, Chair (National Member) Chris Beckett (National Member) Dr. Roy L. Bishop, FRASC (Halifax Centre) Mike Hanes (London Centre) Dr. Paul Schumacher (Victoria Centre)

In keeping with the RASC's commitment to informative, inspiring, and safe EPO, members are required to complete Laser Pointer User/Spotter training before using a laser pointer at an RASC event. Laser Pointer User/Spotter training goes over the basic rules a user/spotter must follow when using a laser pointer and tests future users/spotters' knowledge with an exam at the end of the course. The rules users/spotters must follow include, but are not limited to:

The power required to light an incandescent light bulb (sending light in all directions) that appears as bright as my green laser (when aimed at someone) = 3 megawatts (Three megawatts will power a sizeable town).