Laser Pollution

A phenomenon (defined here for the first time) similar to radio interference but unlikely to become a significant problem for a very long time.  Presently, there is a rush to undertake as much Microwave SETI observations as possible before the sky becomes too polluted with orbiting satellites that will interfere with the reception of any radio signals of extraterrestrial origin.  Because of the immaturity of terrestrial free-space laser communications and the high directivity of laser transmitters and receivers, optical interference from lasers of terrestrial origin with Optical SETI observations is not likely to be a problem for the foreseeable future.