posted on Dec, 29 2011 @ 10:45 AM
I believe the laser is used to correct the optics. Not sure exactly how it works but even at high altitude where these telescopes are there is some
disortion due to the atmosphere. They fire the laser and they use the result to measure the disortion and they can correct what they are seeing
through the telescope from the laser readings.
I'm sure there will be a website somewhere to properly explain it.
Cool video btw