Geekologie I Watch Stuff The Superficial

Shot Of Nuclear Explosion A Millisecond After Detonation

millisecond-nuke-explosion.jpg

This is a shot of a nuclear explosion less than a millisecond after detonation, taken using a magical camera. Well, it's not really magic, I just don't understand how it works so that MAKES it magic. Same goes for magnets and microwaves. It's all little wizards as far as I'm concerned. *banging on microwave* WAKE UP -- WAKE UP AND DO YOUR LITTLE SPELLS ON MY HOT POCKET.

It was captured less than 1 millisecond after the detonation using a rapatronic camera, which is capable of exposure times as brief as 10 nanoseconds (one nanosecond is one billionth of a second). The photograph was shot from roughly 7 miles away during the Tumbler-Snapper tests in Nevada (1952). The fireball is roughly 20 meters in diameter, and three times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? "Yeah -- WHY THE F*CK DOES IT HAVE LEGS?" Right?! I hate to yell government conspiracy, but I just did and now everyone at Starbucks is staring at me. YOU'RE ALL SHEEP, YOU HEAR ME -- SHEEP! Also, did somebody die in the bathroom? Because I'm about to piss myself. "Looks like you did already." *looking down* That's from earlier -- it's almost dry.

Thanks to Darkmorcel, who agrees a picture of a nuclear explosion a second BEFORE detonation is just a picture of a nuclear bomb. The more you know.

Related Stories
  • December 8, 2011
    Did you know blowing out a candle makes 'lil rainbows in the smoke? Of course you did, they probably teach this shit in schools now. When I was in school we didn't learn anything about rainbows except RON J BIZ or whatever. Sea Moon's (Grover Schrayer's) Flickr (with a ton... / Continue →
  • November 4, 2010
    Oh I'm sorry -- did I catch you just getting out of the shower again? Don't worry, I'll look away (as soon as I hit record on my webcam), I swear. Hey -- and what's up with all the BEEP BOOP BOP-ing in the background? WHY IS THAT TRASHCAN IN YOUR BEDROOM?! A University of A... / Continue →
  • August 20, 2010
    #2 like pencils, not #2 like you're gonna go in your jammies when I jump out of your closet tonight. Which I am going to do. You know, or get drunk and pass out on the bus again. I think somebody licked my face last time! Steamy public transportation romance aside, I want n... / Continue →
There are Comments
  • ZomBBombeR

    I lmmfao at pretty much the whole first half of this article so thanks for the good stuff lol

  • MightyMolecule

    good to know uscoe had the capability for 10 nanosecond cameras back in '52 yet the intermittent wiper on automobiles took some time

  • This is pretty cool. I wonder if there are any new shots of the same?

  • Just out of shot: Indiana Jones in a fridge.

  • $18922249

    I am become death.

  • wbeaty

    Googlefodder: that's Doc Edgerton's 'rapatronic' camera. Back when mad scientists didn't just wear steampunk goggles, they also gave themselves weird cancers.

    The visible legs are vaporized cables supporting the bomb tower. Called the "rope trick effect"

  • i lol'd way too hard at "a picture of a nuclear explosion a second BEFORE detonation is just a picture of a nuclear bomb" kudos to you Darkmorcel XD

  • n_a_a_s

    that looks more like the tilt a whirl from the 80s hit sci fi fantasy adventure 'explorers' starring ethan hawke & river phoenix after it came back to earth

  • Metroid?

  • Was thinkin' the saaame thing!

  • Shawn Bibby

    makes me wonder, if they took pictures of this 60 years ago with an amazing camera?
    Or are they still doing tests in secret labratories across the world? fishy to me

  • dougfunnay

    i also cant believe that grainy turd of a photo was taken 60 years ago by the most advanced photographic technology money could buy and agree theyre probably setting off nukes in "secret labratories" as we speak (also a heads up nuclear tests are still conducted on occasion and its no secret)

blog comments powered by Disqus