[ATM] RE: ATM Laser Pointer

[CDR-Paul.Shankland at cnet.navy.mil (Shankland, CDR-Paul)]

Happened to run across this thread looking for other "stuff"-

let me add my 2Cents - for those naysayers who have not used a green laser
as a finder or guider, don't speak ill til you know what you are saying - I
use mine with tremendous success on a 16" Bartels COT Dob in all sorts of
"humidity" - and I use it WHILE I am using a KAF-1602E-CCD.... and unless
you are sloppy - all is fine...

It's the easiest of all unity finders I have ever used, it never causes
miaging problems for me or neighbors, and it can be used for star parties as
well as guiding. Best thing since sliced bread-

My 2 Cents- (and I don't own a green laser company...)
Paul

To: atm@shore.net 
Subject: Re: ATM Laser Pointer. 
From: "Dwight K. Elvey" <dwight.elvey@amd.com> 
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 10:56:03 -0800 (PST) 
Reply-To: "Dwight K. Elvey" <dwight.elvey@amd.com> 
Sender: owner-atm@shore.net 

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>From: "Marco Miglionico" <marco.pm@btopenworld.com>
>
>Hello all,
>
>I may be exposing my ignorance, but how can a laser pointer be used as a
>finder?
>I am almost making reference to a gadget on in Nov. issue S&T that allows
>you
>to strap a pointer to your scope.
>
>The only thing I can think of  is that the beam of light refracts off
>moisture/particles in the air and therefore exhibits a visible beam going
>into the sky. However what I dont understand is how the beam can be used as
>a finder if you cannot look right
>down the line of sight of the pointer. Am I therfore correct in my
>assumption that
>it can only be used as a rough guide? (or does the beam eventually hit the
>roof
>of the world and create a spot there?)
>
>When replying, please feel free to use the words, dummy, idiot, etc
etc...as
>I am
>obviously missing something.
>
>Marco Miglionico.

Hi Marco
 A little thought problem here. First, green and blue light
reflect easily from small particals in the air. If you are within
a few feet of the source, you can easily see the beam into sky.
 Now consider that you have pointed a beam right at a star.
If you move of to the side, the beams path is still ending
at the star. It will look like there is a light path going
to that same star, just like the path would end at an object close
by if that was were you were pointing. The light beam doesn't
move off the star just because you are off to the side, just
as it doesn't move off to the side when the beam shines on a
close object.
Dwight