What if We Nuke the Moon?
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell・7 minutes read
During the Cold War, the US Air Force detonated a powerful nuclear weapon on the Moon, resulting in the creation of a fiery star of the death core emitting X-rays and thermal photons. The explosion caused a moonquake comparable to a 7 on the Richter scale, scattering micrometeorites at high speeds across the surface and contaminating it with radioactive fallout.
Insights
- The US Air Force conducted a study during the Cold War involving detonating a powerful nuclear weapon on the Moon, resulting in a moonquake comparable to a 7 on the Richter scale, scattering micrometeorites and contaminating the surface with radioactive fallout that took a year to decay.
- The explosion on the Moon created a fiery star of the death core due to the lack of atmosphere, emitting X-rays and thermal photons, showcasing the impact of detonating a 100 megawatt thermonuclear warhead, twice as powerful as any bomb previously detonated.
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Recent questions
What was the purpose of the US Air Force study during the Cold War?
The US Air Force conducted a study on the effects of detonating a powerful nuclear weapon on the Moon during the Cold War to understand the potential impact of such an event.
How powerful was the imaginary thermonuclear warhead used in the experiment?
An imaginary 100 megawatt thermonuclear warhead, twice as powerful as any bomb ever detonated, was used in the experiment on the Moon.
What were the consequences of the explosion on the Moon?
The explosion on the Moon resulted in the creation of a fiery star of the death core, emitting X-rays and thermal photons due to the lack of atmosphere. It also caused a moonquake comparable to a 7 on the Richter scale.
How did the absence of an atmosphere on the Moon affect the explosion?
The absence of an atmosphere on the Moon allowed the explosion to grow without resistance, leading to the creation of a fiery star and a moonquake due to the unimpeded expansion of the blast.
How long did it take for the radiation levels on the Moon to decay to natural levels after the explosion?
The radioactive fallout from the explosion left the Moon's surface contaminated, requiring a year for radiation levels to decay to natural levels, despite minimal impact on the Moon's orbit.
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Summary
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US Air Force's Nuclear Bomb Experiment on Moon
- During the Cold War, the US Air Force conducted a study on the effects of detonating a powerful nuclear weapon on the Moon.
- An imaginary 100 megawatt thermonuclear warhead, twice as powerful as any bomb ever detonated, was used in the experiment.
- The explosion on the Moon resulted in the creation of a fiery star of the death core, emitting X-rays and thermal photons due to the lack of atmosphere.
- Unlike on Earth, the absence of an atmosphere on the Moon allowed the explosion to grow without resistance, causing a moonquake comparable to a 7 on the Richter scale.
- Fallout from the explosion scattered micrometeorites at high speeds across the Moon's surface, posing a danger to any astronauts or equipment present.
- The Moon's orbit was minimally affected by the explosion, but the radioactive fallout left the surface contaminated, requiring a year for radiation levels to decay to natural levels.
