Visual anomalies during nuclear explosions

[winstondog]

In some pictures of nuclear tests from the 50's and 60's you will often see illuminated "tendrils" falling through the air away from the mushroom clouds.
Always wondered what it was?
Any ideas


Darren

[DaveC426913]

Those are smoke flares launched prior to detonation of test nukes to give the observers a means to measure the blast's effect on surrounding air.

Wiki is your friend. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom_cloud#Physics)

[A/4]

Those are smoke flares launched prior to detonation of test nukes to give the observers a means to measure the blast's effect on surrounding air.

Wiki is your friend. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom_cloud#Physics)

The OP might also be referring to the "legs" that extend below the fireball immediately after detonation, visible in high-speed films. Those are the tower's guy-wires vaporizing from the prompt EM pulse.

[DaveC426913]

The OP might also be referring to the "legs" that extend below the fireball immediately after detonation, visible in high-speed films. Those are the tower's guy-wires vaporizing from the prompt EM pulse.
Pics?

[Bob S]

Pics?
Here are some miscellaneous pictures from above ground and shallow underground tests. Note in partcuular the spectators on the beach during some Operation Hardtack Phase I tests (pgs 27-30).
Bob S
Sorry: here are pics
http://www.radiochemistry.org/history/nuke_tests/pdf/nts_cdrom2.pdf

See smoke flares at top, and also tendrills (rope trick) at bottom of these pics
http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Tumblers.html


Bob S

[A/4]

Pics?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tumbler_Snapper_rope_tricks.jpg