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Calculating Nuclear Blast Yields from the Flash
Measuring Nuclear Weapons Illuminating Time to Determine Yield
Source: HQDA FM 3-12 "Operational Aspects of Radiological Defense"
Text in Square Brackets added by Cornelius Seon [76576,1330]
"As a field expedient, [nuclear weapon] yield may be estimated from the
measurement of the illumination time of the burst, especially during hours of
darkness or poor visibility [or out in space]. However, this method should be
used ONLY if it is impossible to obtain cloud parameters [such as in Space]
..., since this method only gives a yield estimate on the order of a factor of
10. Techniques for measuring illumination time time will vary, depending on
the situation, but under NO circumstances should the observer attempt to look
directly at the fireball, since this can result in permanent damage to the
eyes." [For the purposes of this file, Illumination Time is defined as that
duration which occurs between the VISUAL start of an un-restrained Nuclear
Reaction, and its VISUAL termination. Part of the problem with using
Illumination Time to measure yield, is the fact that the reaction has already
started, and has been continuing for some duration prior to its illumination,
since the reaction starts when the device reaches Critical Mass, and the
reaction continues after it loses illumination until it finally falls below
Critical Mass. Another problem, is that in space - since it lacks an
atmosphere which would "dampen" the fireball - there will be some lingering
glow which will steadily falloff as the surrounding vacuum "cools" the
remaining mass. This can be misinterpreted as part of the illumination, but it
is not. Rather, it is residual Infra-Red Radiation which is broadcast by the
mass as it cools. Finally, there is the problem of the lack of gravity. Within
a Gravitational Well, such as on a planet, especially when aided by an
atmosphere, the fireball is contained in the shape of the mushroom cap. What
escapes in a perfect globe, is the Blast Wave and the broadband radiation
products of the blast itself. outside of a gravitational well, and an
atmosphere, the fireball itself will continue to expand in the same manner as
the Broadband Radiation [there would be NO Blast Wave in space - that effect
is a function of the atmosphere], but at a slower rate, which is determined by
the mass of the device itself. Further, it will dissapate as it expands, so a
device will have to be really huge in order to have any effect as a weapon
over any great distance, other than as a Radiation Weapon.
Nuclear Burst Illumination Time Yield Measurement Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUMINATION YIELD IN YIELD
TIME KILOTONS INCREASE
[SECONDS] +/- 2 KT [KT] KILOTONIC YIELD GRAPH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS THAN 1 1 1 #
1 2.5 1.5 ##
2 10 7.5 ###
3 22 12 #####
4 40 18 ######
5 60 20 ########
6 90 30 #########
7 125 35 ###########
8 160 35 #############
9 200 40 ##############
10 250 50 ################
12 325 75 ##################
14 475 150 ######################
16 700 225 ##########################
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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