The Gemini North observatory in Hawaii fires a laser into the sky as part of its adaptive optics system (Image: Gemini Observatory)From New Scientist:
Could astronomers accidentally blind Earth-observing satellites? That seems to be the worry of the US air force, which restricts the use of lasers pointed at the sky to help focus telescopes. But some astronomers warn they will miss key observations under the rules, which have tightened in recent years.
Many of the world's largest observatories, including Lick, Gemini North, Palomar and Keck in the US, shine lasers into the sky to measure atmospheric turbulence, which distorts images.
Read more ....My Comment: This is probably a bigger problem than what the U.S. Air Force is willing to admit.
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