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Starlight lasers G1 Pro768× sold
G1 Pro Green Laser Pointer with Pattern Lens
- Green · 532 nm
- 1 mW
- 18650
£99.95£69.95
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Laser pointer for astronomy: point out stars and planets
"See that bright one, just left of the Plough?" Pointing out stars with your finger rarely works. A green laser pointer makes it easy to show friends, family or a group exactly where to look. Here is what a class 2 green laser can do in the night sky, and how to use it responsibly.
Our advice for you · Pointing out stars
Starlight lasers G3 Pro1417× sold
G3 Pro Green Laser Pointer
The rechargeable green laser pointer most of our customers choose
- Green 532 nm – the brightest colour to the eye
- Class 2, up to 1 mW, measured before dispatch
- Rechargeable 18650 Li-ion cell + charger included
£149.95£99.95
In stock · Order on a weekday before 3 pm (UK time) = shipped today
Pointing out stars
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Starlight lasers G2 Pro552× sold
G2 Pro Compact Green Laser Pointer
- Green · 532 nm
- 1 mW
- 16340
- Compact
£119.95£79.95
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X2 Green Laser Pen with Pattern Cap
- Green · 532 nm
- 1 mW
- 2× AAA
£49.95£39.95
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Why green is the only colour for stargazing
Your eyes are most sensitive to green light, and at night that matters even more. A 532 nm green laser shows the brightest dot of any class 2 laser, and in very dark, humid air its beam is faintly visible as a thin line pointing into the sky. Red and violet lasers are far less visible at night and are not suitable for pointing out stars.
Let us be clear about expectations. The bright, solid beams you see in videos come from high-power lasers. With a class 2 laser up to 1 mW, the beam is faint: you will see it best on a dark, moonless night away from street lights, and best when people stand close behind you, looking along your arm. For showing a small group – your family, a few friends, a school class – that is exactly what you need.
Which laser pointer for astronomy?
| Model | Why choose it | Battery |
|---|---|---|
| G3 Pro | Our most chosen green Pro laser; sturdy for cold nights; key lock | 18650 rechargeable + charger |
| G1 Pro | Same green Pro performance with a removable pattern lens | 18650 rechargeable + charger |
| G2 Pro | Compact enough for the eyepiece case | 16340 rechargeable + charger |
| X1 | A light green laser pen for occasional stargazing | 2x AAA |
Lithium-ion cells lose capacity in the cold, so on a frosty night keep the laser in an inside pocket between uses and bring a charged spare 18650 or 16340 cell.
Using a laser pointer under the stars
- Look around first. Check for aircraft lights before you switch on and switch off immediately when a plane or helicopter approaches. Never use a laser near an airport or airfield.
- Let people stand behind you and sight along the beam rather than looking at it from the side.
- Short bursts. Switch on, point, switch off. It keeps everyone's night vision intact.
- Start with easy targets: the Plough, Orion's Belt, Cassiopeia, the Pole Star, a bright planet.
- At a star party or club, ask the organiser before using a laser – some events prefer red torches only, especially near telescopes and cameras.
Range in the dark
Green class 2 laser: indicative visibility
| Situation | Visible dot |
|---|---|
| Indoors | 30 m+ (a whole room or hall) |
| Daylight (dot on a shaded surface) | approx. 100 m |
| Dusk | approx. 300 m |
| In the dark | approx. 1 km (dot); the beam is faintly visible in very dark, humid air |
When you point into an open sky there is nothing for the dot to land on, so in astronomy you follow the faint beam rather than the dot. The figures above are for a dot on a surface and show how visible a green class 2 laser is in different light.
Safety and the law
Never aim a laser at aircraft, vehicles, people or animals. Shining a laser at an aircraft is a criminal offence in the UK and can put lives at risk. Keep the laser out of reach of children and use the safety keys on the Pro models. More: laser pointer safety and laser pointer law in the UK. Want to know how far a laser really goes? Read how far can a laser pointer go.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the beam of a class 2 green laser at night?
Faintly, in very dark and humid air away from street lights. It is enough for people standing beside you to follow, but much fainter than the beams in videos of high-power lasers.
Which laser pointer is best for astronomy?
A green 532 nm laser. Our G3 Pro is the most chosen model: rechargeable, sturdy and lockable. The compact G2 Pro is the travel option.
Is it legal to use a laser pointer for stargazing in the UK?
Using a class 2 laser to point out stars is fine. Never aim at aircraft – that is a criminal offence – and switch off when a plane or helicopter approaches.