Double-fireball

Cherokee (3.8 mt) Joined: Mar 17, 2008 Posts: 402

Does anyone know if large blast (500kt <) can create double-fireballs like the grable-usphot-test? On the footage I've seen so far, large blasts seem to create only single-fireballs. But then, those fireballs are often hidden behind wilson-clouds (not sure that's the right term), so it's difficult to tell.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:50 pm

bueschu wrote:

Does anyone know if large blast (500kt <) can create double-fireballs like the grable-usphot-test? On the footage I've seen so far, large blasts seem to create only single-fireballs. But then, those fireballs are often hidden behind wilson-clouds (not sure that's the right term), so it's difficult to tell.

I have never seen one from other than Grable and Priscilla shots.

Read this about Priscilla shot, from
DNA 6603F
(PDF pp. 29-30)
SHOT PRISCILLA
A Test of the PLUMBBOB Series
24 JUNE 1957:

Quote:

Loudspeakers announced the 30-minute warning and the observers were ordered into the trenches. All unnecessary electronic equipment, including radios and vehicles, was turned off. Radio silence was ordered 15 minutes before the detonation. A siren announced the ten-minute warning. Loudspeakers announced the five-minute warning and gasoline engines were turned off. Persons without dense goggles turned their backs toward ground zero at this time and were not to turn around until after the initial flash. One minute before the detonation the AEC Control Point announcer started to broadcast the countdown. Those observers in trenches crouched, closed and covered their eyes; those supplied with goggles put them on (35).

One Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP) participant described Shot PRISCILLA as follows: "H hour and what an hour. . . . the thermal wave was very intense and the shock wave upset a number of people who were not braced for it." The ground shock reportedly caused a portion of one observer trench to collapse, partially burying some observers. These individuals were promptly dug out by their companions in the trench area.

Also read this account of Priscilla in dramatic detail, by Saffer.

Forum Admin Joined: Aug 06, 2006 Posts: 1631 Location: UK

I'm sure we discussed this before and I think the consensus was that it was a unique combination of atmospherics and the weapon used that made for a double fireball.

Don't forget Owens Plumbob. Not that I have seen any footage, but based on this picture it appears to have a double fireball too.

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 1:31 am

sonicbomb wrote:

I'm sure we discussed this before and I think the consensus was that it was a unique combination of atmospherics and the weapon used that made for a double fireball.

Don't forget Owens Plumbob. Not that I have seen any footage, but based on this picture it appears to have a double fireball too.

Yes, Owens. A hasty omission of mine.

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 3:35 am

Here is a video of Grable.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7278951069225366106&ei=yTkZSPHONaSQqwPc8PXnBg&hl=en

Cherokee (3.8 mt) Joined: Mar 17, 2008 Posts: 402

Hmm, guess we'd have to test our own h-bomb to find out. Twisted Evil

Actually here there is a similar phenomenon. Probably the explosion had to occur at a lower hight to form a proper double-fireball (assumed large weapons could create one).

http://sonicbomb.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=118&page=2

Here's one too, but it's a small weapon, all right.

http://sonicbomb.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=207

Thx for the info & the links anyway!

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 3:31 am

I thinks its caused because the top part of the fireball rises much faster than the bottom part, therefore it splits and causes a double fireball, I mean just whatch the Grable video, it is a perfect example. Smile

Look at your Avatar, bueschu, that has a bouble fireball effect.

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:57 pm

How about Plumbob Fizeau? This looks like two scoops.

Forum Admin Joined: Aug 06, 2006 Posts: 1631 Location: UK

Agreed, but more of a skirt than a second fireball.

Fizeau

King (500 kt) Joined: Sep 28, 2007 Posts: 89

Quote:

I thinks its caused because the top part of the fireball rises much faster than the bottom part, therefore it splits and causes a double fireball, I mean just whatch the Grable video, it is a perfect example. Look at your Avatar, bueschu, that has a bouble fireball effect.

No, its water vapor sucked again by fireball.

Double fireball are probably created when the shock wave is so powerful and the fireball exploded low enough to have its fireball intact yet being sliced by shock wave...

Forum Admin Joined: Aug 06, 2006 Posts: 1631 Location: UK

^ What you are saying does not make any sense raigainousa

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 11:23 pm

sonicbomb wrote:

Agreed, but more of a skirt than a second fireball.

Fizeau

Yes, I have to agree after watching the video.

King (500 kt) Joined: Sep 28, 2007 Posts: 89

Quote:

^ What you are saying does not make any sense raigainousa

First, or second statement, sb?

Forum Admin Joined: Aug 06, 2006 Posts: 1631 Location: UK

The second statement about the water vapour, maybe I'm just not understanding what you are suggesting.

King (500 kt) Joined: Sep 28, 2007 Posts: 89

Sorry, its not water vapor. Sad

Its ice crystals. Very Happy

Please "just" watch a video of Chinese test No. 6. you'll see what Im talking about.