In China, scientists have developed a new laser device that can read tiny letters from almost a mile away. The letters it can read are as small as three millimeters — about the size of a small pea. This technology is very accurate and is based on methods first used by astronomers to study stars far away in space.
Back in the 1950s, scientists invented a way called intensity interferometry to learn about stars. They looked at the light from stars and studied how the light waves mixed together. This helped them see details about stars that normal telescopes couldn’t show.
Now, a team at the University of Science and Technology of China has taken this idea and used it to build a laser device that works on things here on Earth. Instead of using natural light from stars, their device shines eight beams of infrared laser light onto the object they want to see.
After reflecting off the object, the laser beams travel back to the device. Then, using smart calculations, the system puts together the light it received and creates a very clear picture. This system is so good that it can read letters just three millimeters tall from 0.85 miles away — almost a whole mile! To understand how amazing this is, think about reading very small print in a book from far down the street.
The secret to this laser’s power is using eight beams instead of one. One laser beam alone would make a blurry picture. But when the system splits the laser into eight beams and combines the information, it gets a much sharper image. It’s like looking through a foggy window compared to a clean, clear one.
This new laser system could be very useful. For example, it can help scientists locate and follow pieces of space debris orbiting the Earth. Space junk is a problem because it can hit satellites or spacecraft and cause damage. With this laser, researchers might see even small bits of debris from far away, helping keep space safer.
The team also wants to add artificial intelligence (AI) to the system. AI could help the device automatically recognize shapes and objects, making it easier to spot and identify things without people needing to watch the images all the time.
But this technology also brings up some concerns. Since it can read tiny letters from very far away, it might be used to spy on people. Even though it was made for science and practical uses, there is a risk it could be used in ways that invade privacy. This reminds us that new inventions can bring both great benefits and serious challenges.
In short, Chinese researchers have developed a strong laser system that uses old astronomy methods and multiple infrared beams to read very small text from almost a mile away. This shows how ideas from the past can become new, powerful tools today. But it’s important to think carefully about how such technology is used, to make sure it helps people without causing harm.
