"no evidence of private citizens being able to test this out."
No, all you need is a modified telescope. You align your laser source with the optical axis you are viewing with, place a photon detector in the return path, modulate the laser with a simple AM modulator, use the detector to pick up the same AM frequency. Then you aim the telescope at the moon and turn things on. The use of a modulated laser ensures you know it's your output beam you are receiving. A high school science fair kid could in theory build one of these setups.
I agree totally with you about the nature of the NYT though.
I did not downvote you. We know what tribe does that of course.
"no evidence of private citizens being able to test this out."
No, all you need is a modified telescope. You align your laser source with the optical axis you are viewing with, place a photon detector in the return path, modulate the laser with a simple AM modulator, use the detector to pick up the same AM frequency. Then you aim the telescope at the moon and turn things on. The use of a modulated laser ensures you know it's your output beam you are receiving. A high school science fair kid could in theory build one of these setups.
I agree totally with you about the nature of the NYT though. I did not downvote you. We know what tribe does that of course.