1 Millisecond into a Nuclear Explosion



Allegedly, this is a photograph of the beginning of a nuclear detonation. It was taken in 1952 during the Tumbler-Snapper tests in Nevada. At this point, the fireball is about sixty-six feet across. How was the photographer able to get a shutter speed fast enough to do it? He used a Kerr cell, which is a device that uses polarizing filters to block the passage of light.

Link -via The Presurfer

I first saw that photo in the book _100 Suns_. Great book with photos of nuclear explosions - some instants after the initial blast (like this one) and others once the cloud had built. High recommendation...

http://www.michaellight.net/work100suns.html
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
@Joseph -- yes, a bit. The source for this story is ultimately a portion of a Wikipedia article without a footnote. But I did find similar photographs from this nuclear test program in two sources on Google Books. That was as much fact-checking as I was willing to do, so I decided to insert the word "allegedly" into the text.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I don't recall any studies done on the troops who were positioned so close to some tests. I remember the "radioactive" firing position where you squatted to shoot your rifle with only your boots touching the ground.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Yea that's what it looks like, not the only photo out there. Note the 'spikes' showing out the bottom are from the tension cables holding up the tower being vaporized by the blast.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
This always looked like the film or film emulsion was melting. Could heavy particles have reached the camera by this time and deformed the negative?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Can you imagine being the guy to push the button on the first ever atomic bomb test? In the beginning scientists were afraid the heat from the blast might set our atmosphere on fire.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 9 comments
Email This Post to a Friend
"1 Millisecond into a Nuclear Explosion"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More