Nuclear tests: databases and other material--Johnston's Archive
Bluegill nuclear test, 1962
compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last modified 6 November 2006
Date:
26 October 1962
Location:
Pacific Ocean near Johnston Island
Type of event:
retinal burns from high altitude nuclear test
Description:
At 8:59 UT the US conducted a high altitude nuclear test near Johnston Island in the Pacific Ocean. The test, Bluegill 3 Prime, was designed to investigate the effects of nuclear explosions at high altitudes. The test used a W50 warhead with a yield of 400 kilotons delivered to an altitude of 48.2 km by rocket. Two personnel, an Air Force officer and a Navy officer, sustained retinal burns at a slant range of about 50 km. Neither individual was wearing their protective goggles at the time. The Air Force officer suffered a reduction of central vision initially to 20/400, which improved to 20/25 after six months. The Navy officer suffered permanent eye damage, with central vision never improving beyond 20/60, and was medically discharged.
Consequences:
2 injuries.
References:
- Defense Nuclear Agency, 1983, Operation Dominic I, 1962, Report DNA6040F, Department of Defense (Washington, DC).
- Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office, Dec. 2000, United States Nuclear Tests: July 1945 through September 1992, U.S. DOE (Las Vegas, NV), on line at Nevada Site Office [http://www.nv.doe.gov/news&pubs/publications/historyreports/pdfs/DOENV209_REV15.pdf].
- Hansen, Chuck, 1995, The Swords of Armageddon, Vol. 8, Chukelea Publ. (Sunnyvale, CA).
- Hoerlin, Herman, Oct. 1976, United States High-Altitude Test Experiences: A Review Emphasizing the Impact on the Environment, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (Los Alamos, NM).
- Yang, Xiaoping, Robert North, and Carl Romney, Aug. 2000, "CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3)," on line, SMDC Monitoring Research [http://www.rdss.info/database/nucex/report/explosion.pdf].
© 2006 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 6 November 2006.
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