Manhattan Project: First Atomic Bomb Test That Turned the Night Into Day

Before the atomic bomb had not been tested, uncertainty persisted regarding its efficacy. The world had no prior experience with a nuclear explosion, leading to a wide range of estimates concerning the amount of energy it would unleash. Privately, some scientists at Los Alamos harbored doubts about whether it would even work.

Almost eight decades later, Christopher Nolan's biopic "Oppenheimer" was recently released in cinemas. It is an excerpt from the book "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer," which tells about a story during the first atomic bomb test dubbed the "Trinity Test."

The Making of the Atomic Bomb

The journey towards achieving nuclear fission, the splitting of an atom's nucleus, involved significant scientific advancements over centuries as per the website of The National WWII Museum. Starting with the discovery of uranium by Martin Klaproth in 1789, followed by Marie Curie's exploration of radioactivity, atomic science underwent transformative changes.

Ernest Rutherford's atom model in 1911 furthered the understanding of atomic structure. In the 1930s, Leo Szilard proposed the concept of a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, while Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn achieved successful uranium fission. However, Meitner's Jewish heritage forced her to flee Germany due to Nazi persecution.

As scientists fled Europe, the potential of nuclear power fell into German hands. Leo Szilard, Enrico Fermi, and Albert Einstein worked together to raise concerns about German nuclear advancements, leading to a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. Roosevelt formed the Advisory Committee on Uranium to address the risks of nuclear weapons.

The Manhattan Project

According to the US Department of Energy, the first atomic bomb test, known as the Trinity test, was named by Robert Oppenheimer and took place at the remote "Jornada del Muerto" site in New Mexico.

The preparations involved testing instrumentation with conventional explosives, setting up observation bunkers, and addressing concerns about radioactivity control.

On July 12, 1945, the plutonium core was transported to the test area, and the final assembly of the bomb, nicknamed "Gadget," was completed on July 13. Despite the rain and tense discussions about the weather, the test proceeded at 5:30 a.m., on July 16. Observers positioned themselves on the ground, and as the countdown reached zero, the test was initiated.

During the final moments, observers awaited the detonation with mixed emotions. Isidore Rabi engaged in a conversation about nervousness, while others found calmness. Leslie Groves contemplated the outcome if the bomb failed, and Edward Teller made light of the situation by applying sunscreen. The countdown continued, and the moment of detonation came.

At 5:30 a.m., on July 16, 1945, the atomic bomb was detonated in the New Mexico desert. The explosion obliterated the tower and transformed the surrounding asphalt into green sand. A massive blast wave and intense heat radiated across the desert. Although invisible, the presence of radiation was unmistakable.

The steel container called "Jumbo," weighing over 200 tons, was displaced despite being located half a mile away from the epicenter. As the fireball expanded in vibrant orange and yellow hues, a distinct mushroom-shaped cloud formed, symbolizing the immense power and devastating destruction associated with the atomic age.

On the morning after the test, New York Times reporter William L. Laurence approached Robert Oppenheimer for his thoughts on the event. As per Live Science, Oppenheimer described his emotions about the test to Laurence as both "terrifying" and "somewhat disheartening." However, he also acknowledged that many young lives would owe their survival to the atomic bomb.