75th Anniversary of the Trinity Test

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the Trinity test at White Sands Missile Range, in New Mexico. It might get lost-in-the-wash of all of the other news going on, but I think it’s an important point to remember. Having been to multiple sites of the Manhattan Project, I’m amazed at how much work had gone into the Project, and how far evolved a lot of the complex has come (link goes to one example). A lot of history, driven by the Cold War, has come and gone.

Tripler
The Nuclear Age turns 75.

2

It’s a little comforting to remember that a good number of those who witnessed the event (some of the smartest people in the world) thought it was unlikely there would be a civilization left in 75 years to commemorate it. Mankind IS capable of reining in its compulsion for self destruction. I just hope we can do it again on the climate/pollution front.

3

I’ve wanted to visit Trinity site for a long time. Something always seems to come up. Maybe this year…

4

“Now we are all sons of bitches.”

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There was an observance yesterday at 5:29AM, and it was being made available online. Let me see if I can find it, and I’ll post a link.

Trip

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Please do. Visiting the Trinity site is still on my bucket list for whenever I go to NM. Still haven’t been able to go; they only allow visits at certain times of the year.

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If you can find this movie online - I highly recommend: Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie. Very good telling of the story of the development of the bomb thru much of the cold war. Some of the footage is pretty interesting as well and not widely seen.

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I have watched that movie while in training. The music, coupled with Shatner’s voice was kind of riveting.

I found the link (they must have finally uploaded it). The WSMR Trinity 75th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony (~20 min long).

Tripler
I recommend visiting the site–I was able to do it about a year ago.

9

Visited the site in 2018 (IIRC). It was amazing to see the humble farmhouse where such astonishing scientific breakthroughs took place. Took a geiger around the site and near the remains of the tower foundations – the machines still click enthusiastically there. Found lots of trinitite crystals, but sadly couldn’t keep them.

It’s an amazing place.