Laser Pointers

I'm sure this is a controversial subject in and of itself. However, my intended use is at evening star gazing sessions, usually held at schools and parks, where mine is the only scope and I have a small audience. Don't worry, I wouldn't THINK of using it at a star party!

That said, does anyone here have a recommendation about which ones work best for astronomy? Green? Red? How bright does it need to be? Seems like there are a lot of choices out there. TIA for any advice! - Chuck

Hi Chuck, I have a green 5mw it use's AAA batters and i use the lithium type , they work better in the cold. 5 mw is all you need for astronomy. i never have seen red used for a pointer in astronomy. I think the 5mw are all about the same.

Bob

>>>That said, does anyone here have a recommendation about which ones work best for astronomy? Green? Red? How bright does it need to be? Seems like there are a lot of choices out there. TIA for any advice! - Chuck
----

The prefer color is green, the eye is most sensitive to green. It needs to be a class 3A laser, (less than 5mw), it is illegal to sell or promote a class 3b laser as a pointer.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/radhlth/lpm.html

The green class 3a laser pointers I have seen have been plenty bright.

Jon