<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Laser_Ranging_experiment" rel="noreferrer">This experiment</a> is still done frequently, but you need a powerful pulsed laser, precise pointing (error below about 20 arc seconds) and a sensitive detector.</p>

<p>Amateurs will fail most likely, because they won't get access to an appropriate equipment.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpjbdH1y_ds" rel="noreferrer">Here is a youtube video</a>, which may give an impression of how difficult it is to perform the experiment.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-17T02:13:10.203Z
Amateurs can do this with radio waves. You can use the entire surface of the Moon as a reflector https://youtu.be/0zTtAq6lk0c
Swike
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-09T08:30:21.067Z
I would add that the power of laser required to do this would need careful safety procedures. Possibly including a notice to airmen for the time that it is being fired into the atmosphere.
PeteBlackerThe3rd
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T22:32:58.513Z
After watching that video. No way anyone could do this in their own backyard.
Reactgular
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T20:32:22.657Z
2014-02-26T20:32:22.657Z
Gerald
<p>In the TV show "Big Bang Theory" episode "<a href="http://bigbangtheory.wikia.com/wiki/The_Lunar_Excitation" rel="noreferrer">The Lunar Excitation</a>", the gang fires a laser from their rooftop, bounces it off mirrors on the moon, and measures the laser coming back on a computer.</p>

<p>Is this really possible?</p>

<p>I know scientists have successfully done this, because it's why NASA put the mirrors on the moon.</p>

<p>Wouldn't this require very precise targeting by the laser to hit the mirrors?</p>

<p>My question is, is it possible for an amateur to successfully perform this experiment?</p>

<the-moon><amateur-observing>
Can an amateur astronomer bounce a laser off the moon?
Reactgular
# Can an amateur astronomer bounce a laser off the moon?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-26)

In the TV show "Big Bang Theory" episode "[The Lunar Excitation](http://bigbangtheory.wikia.com/wiki/The_Lunar_Excitation)", the gang fires a laser from their rooftop, bounces it off mirrors on the moon, and measures the laser coming back on a computer.

Is this really possible?

I know scientists have successfully done this, because it's why NASA put the mirrors on the moon.

Wouldn't this require very precise targeting by the laser to hit the mirrors?

My question is, is it possible for an amateur to successfully perform this experiment?

**Tags:** the-moon, amateur-observing

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-02-26. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

[This experiment](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Laser_Ranging_experiment) is still done frequently, but you need a powerful pulsed laser, precise pointing (error below about 20 arc seconds) and a sensitive detector.

Amateurs will fail most likely, because they won't get access to an appropriate equipment.

[Here is a youtube video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpjbdH1y_ds), which may give an impression of how difficult it is to perform the experiment.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: After watching that video. No way anyone could do this in their own backyard.  
> **username_2**: Amateurs can do this with radio waves. You can use the entire surface of the Moon as a reflector https://youtu.be/0zTtAq6lk0c  
> **username_3**: I would add that the power of laser required to do this would need careful safety procedures. Possibly including a notice to airmen for the time that it is being fired into the atmosphere.  

---

