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MSU test produces strange light
An experiment at Montana State University is causing area residents to wonder about the strange light that has been appearing in the sky.
Associated Press Billings Gazette
Researchers at Montana State University are testing a laser that shoots a pulsing beam of light upward, and may one day help with weather detection.
They are working on a "lidar," an acronym for light detection and ranging, said Kevin Repasky, a research professor of physics at MSU. It’s equivalent to radar, but with lasers.
"It looked like two light green, very strange streaks in the sky," said Shane Jankuna, who was part of a small knot of people on the sidewalk in front of Hastings Books, Music and Video looking at the laser Thursday night.
Repasky said roughly 50 to 75 people have tracked down the test site, and all wanted to know the story behind the light.
"It’s interesting – they’re trying to follow the beam back to its source," Repasky said. "So, we were doing a lot of explaining of the science behind it. It’s a lot of fun."
The scientists say they are bouncing light off particles in the sky, such as dust or aerosols, and measuring the time it takes for the light to return. From that, they can tell how distant the particles are.
The laser, pulsing 30 times per second, looks like a continuous light beam.
MSU has been working with lidar for about a year and a half.
The scientists have permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to test the lidar again Tuesday and Thursday, and may test the following two weeks as well.
Repaskey said he didn’t want to say where the test originates, other than that it’s on the MSU campus. "It’s more fun if they want to try to follow it," he said.
Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises.
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