Truth behind mystery laser beam in sky
COVENTRY’S skyline was illuminated on the weekend as a massive laser beam was fired into the air from the city centre.
But, while some feared an alien invasion and others were certain the light was to mark mental health, we can reveal it was neither.
Mat Lawrence, of Kvant Lasers, was actually behind the intriguing visual display that got the whole city talking on Saturday night.
And far from being a stunt to create awareness for a cause, he was actually just testing to see how effective the “world’s most powerful display laser” was and how far it could be seen from.
Mat said: “We were testing out the world’s most powerful display laser and getting some photographs from around the city.
“We have been doing it in various cities, but I cannot help but think people would rather read we were talking to aliens or something!”
Mat said the laser could be seen for up to 20 miles in good weather conditions.
It certainly lit up social media in the city, and further afield. You could see the light clearly from Coventry Airport.
Given the height the laser can reach, Mat and the company had taken steps before firing it up - including warning those in the aviation world.
Coventry Airport was made aware of the display, to make sure that any flights in the area were routed safely away.
What’s more, West Midlands Police were even made aware as a precaution, to avoid any public panic - easing fears of an alien invasion.
“It was a case of testing and taking photographs. I drove around the city to get various viewpoints,” Mat added.
“It requires a The Notice to Airmen from the Civil Aviation Authority for us to turn on a laser outside unterminated (e.g. into the sky).
“This approval was in place prior to Saturday and informs aircraft of what we are doing.
“We also informed the police as we know from experience it can create interest from locals.”
Though there was some speculation that the beam was coming from Coventry Cathedral, it has been confirmed that though close by, it had instead come from the courtyard of Bayley Lane Kitchen, in Coventry city centre.
The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued for the laser gave the Daventry-based organisers a two week window to display the beam of an evening.
But those hoping to see the laser fired up again will be disappointed as the wide window was only given so that the test could be carried out when weather conditions were at their best.