A Japanese company built a prototype system that can draw 3D objects in mid-air using UV lasers that excite the air into a plasma where the beams cross: http:/

A Japanese company built a prototype system that can draw 3D objects in mid-air using UV lasers that excite the air into a plasma where the beams cross: http://www.burton-jp.com/en/index.htm http://www.burton-jp.com/en/index.htm I think they can project images about 10-20 feet up in the air (see the demo videos on the web site). Much longer ranges like kilometers are probably possible. Very long ranges like drawing in the upper atmosphere would probably encounter the same problems the Star Wars program did, difficult to hold a beam together given air turbulence. I've been thinking about using the same technique to create a TV screen floating in mid air, though it could only be used outdoors (due to ozone generated). It might also be possible to use something like this to draw a dome over a yard that keeps insects out. Probably too dangerous to allow kids near it though, the lasers are fairly high power and since they are UV the beams can't be seen. It may not even require lasers, focused beams of high intensity UV light might accomplish the same thing. I would think if this was used to create a UFO the UFO would sparkle a lot and might be fairly transparent, instead of looking like a solid object.