What happens to light from a laser pointer if I shine it up into the sky at night?

Question

Provided it doesn’t hit a pilot in the eye!

In: 32

Answer 1

You get arrested for violating FAA rules. Up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Jokes aside, there will be some slight scattering caused by the atmosphere and imperfections in the laster, but the photons will continue on until they hit something, but the circle the laser shines light to will get bigger and bigger over time and it will get harder and harder to detect due to being less and less intense as it spreads out.