Visiting the Trinity Atomic Bomb Test Site - White Sands Missile Range
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- The Trinity Test Site, where the first nuclear bomb in history was detonated on July 16, 1945, is open to visitors twice a year. On the first Saturday in April and October the site, which is located on the US Army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, visitors can walk the ground where the first atomic bomb was detonated. At the site there is a monument to the test and trinitite, a glassy substance created by the melting desert, can still be found.
Despite being on the White Sands Missile Range, the test site is administered by the National park Service. Normally the test site open house includes a tour of the Schmidt/McDonald house, where the bomb was assembled, but did not on our visit due to recent heavy rains in the area.
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Just a side note:
Only 27 miles west and 83 years earlier, from that 1945 location, at the "Battle of Valverde" Soldiers were using Muskets to fight their battles.
Its amazing how fast everything advanced.
@@SidetrackAdventures The country is around 240 years old. Seems like a long time. If you are around 60 years old, you've experienced 25% of the nation's history. 33% of it if you are 80. In the 60 years before you were born, the aircraft took to the skies, cars became commonplace and highways constructed coast to coast, the electrical grid goes to every home, air conditioning, TVs, the telephone, 2 World wars, and so much more! Just 50 years ago, the guidance computer on the Apollo lander was running at 2 MHz and weighed 70 pounds. The acceleration of technology today makes the Cambrian explosion look like amateur hour.
That is a mind boggling fact.
We made our visit to the Trinity site this year and it was extremely humbling... Back in 1988 I had a chance to meet Paul tibbetts the pilot of the enola gay in Albuquerque... A true highlight for me.
My father was on the team that developed the Fat Man implosion detonator at Los Alamos. He was at Trinity. I was born at Los Al in 1945.
My grandfather worked at Oak Ridge in Tennessee. He got a medal and a letter from the president. Someone stole it from him, I think it was my uncle's step son. Anyway do you know who I could write to replace it? I don't know which agency to contact. I've heard of war veterans getting their lost medals returned.
@@billofrightsamend4 I suggest the Manahattan Project museum at Los Alamos if Oak Ridge doesn't have one. I doubt the current Federal nuclear agencies would have the records (let alone even care about someone's letter & medal). Maybe the National Archives? A long shot.
@@janblake9468 yeah, I don't know if they kept record because it was so secret NO one knew about it except the president and people working on it. Nothing like that had been done before. There's a lot of misinformation about it.
@@billofrightsamend4 I'm well versed on the secrecy. To his dying day in 1991, my father would not talk about his A-bomb work. But he would describe our life at Los Alamos. We left in 1946. BTW: before leaving for Trinity, he told my mom to look south about 5:30 am on July 16th. She saw the glow.
@@janblake9468 hehe...yes. All my grandfather told me, was the super strong magnets they had to walk through in some areas, because they couldn't have anything metal. I don't know if it was coming or going or probably both. I guess it was their version of a metal detector. ?? I didn't understand what he was talking about until after he passed away. No one talked about it. And my Aunt was asking what happened to his medal?
I was at Trinity site around 1955 . Dad worked at Holloman For Lockheed and he was told how to get at the site . We were alone that day . I remember all the greenish melted sand that was like a glass. I picked up some I took it home to Alamogordo. The stuff was like a glass flooring covering the whole area. After 10 years in Alamogordo we has boxes full of pottery, arrow heads, fossils and the Trinitite . We left it all when we moved.😮
Since this video came out they changed the open dates. Now 1st Sat in April (no change) and 3rd Sat in Oct.
@5:53, yes this is Jumbo, but it was not the bomb that was exploded there. The scientists thought it might be better to contain the the experiment in case fission didn't take place and lose a great amount of Plutonium. As scientists do they rethought their decision and realized how much fallout would be created detonating the weapon inside Jumbo and passed on that aspect of the test. I believe Jumbo was made in Canton Ohio and blown up with conventional explosives years later.
Thank you for this. You documented the journey superbly and are very well spoken.
Thank you so much!
Very nice video, thank you. One correction, though, Your picture of Jumbo, it was not a bomb. Jumbo was a casing built as they were originally going to explode the bomb inside this 9" thick walled shell(built in ohio), in an attempt to contain the explosion. It was not used as it was determined that the scientists could not visually or technically determine success or failure root causes. Plus if the bomb incinerated it, this would add to plutonium laced metallic mist included in the cloud. It was set to the side of Ground Zero, and was extensively damaged in the blast.
My father worked on the Manhattan Project as a Technical Sergeant in the Army because he had two years of college chemistry before enlisting. He spent most of his time at Oak Ridge Tennessee working in the gaseous diffusion that separated U-238 from U-235 that was used for the Little Boy device. The Trinity test and the Fat man bomb used plutonium. We have visited White Sand but not on the dates ground zero was open. Thanks for the video.
Hopefully you grabbed an Owl Burger (green chili cheeseburger) & onion rings from the Owl Bar & Cafe just west in the town of San Antonio (just before I-25). From the grill that served the atomic scientists working Trinity.
Where my “nukes are fake” people?
I was born at Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, NM. My whole side of my Moms side is from and still in Alamogordo.
I received a call from my first cousin. She wanted to know what kind of cancer my mom died from. She has to get checked. I myself, I'm 6 yrs free with one boob. Growing up,people my mom knew and went to school with died from cancer. My "Little Gramma", my Moms mom, died from lung cancer. My mom died in from breast cancer. My mom, 2009. I myself am now 6 yrs "free".
If anyone in Alamogordo thinks this is not just a fluke like I think it isn't, shouldn't we be questioning the "testing" of that bomb in White Sands before dropping it on Hiroshima??
For real....I'm beside myself right now.... a can of worms were opened up again....but dammit, I'm NOT the only one with these questions or thoughts...
The first Downwinders were in New Mexico.
My father in law was injured by the atomic bomb blast in 1945 he lived not far from the sight
White Sands needs to get their act together and repaint that Fat Man casing, it looks like crap. Also, "Jumbo" was a proposed container for the blast that they decided wasn't needed.
So many people suffered because of this. Not knowing what damage the radioactive has had in the past.
Not going to lie... majorly jealous. Seeing White Sands was amazing but really wanted to stop here. Being so close yet so far away, you know? One day! But what an amazing experience! I wonder if the barbecue had radioactive rattlesnake on menu? And I can't even imagine how you estimate the temperature on that thing.
Unfortunately for us we had to get back home by Monday so we didn't get to see White Sands which is a place I really want to check out. Gives us a reason to go back though!
The museum at Alamogordo is well worth a long visit.
The white sands look pretty crazy don’t get why they don’t let people ride on the dooms because grass is growing on the sand and now it don’t look good
One of my fav TH-cam channels . . . I love the relaxed way you present American History, showing us what has happened all around us in obscure little places . . . thanks for who you are and all you do!
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Nice tour of the site. By the way, Jumbo was not the bomb. It was a metal casing that would have been used to store the bomb in case the bomb started malfunctioning.
Thank you Steve for another fantastic adventure.
I hope you went to the Nuclear Museum while you where in town ..............it goes hand in hand with a trip to the Trinity sight .
Unfortunately we missed it. We didn't get to Albuquerque until late afternoon. Hoping to head back soon though.
@@SidetrackAdventures its a lot more interesting then the Balloon museum.
Plus, go up to Los Alamos.
30 years earlier, deployed several times to White Sands Missile Range for testing and exercises on the other side of the mountains north of the Trinity Site. Didn't appreciate history as much then as a young Marine; wish I checked the site out back in the day.
Ever hear of Russian spies in those mountains ? Illegal prospectors?
Radioactive rattlesnakes ☺️
Cloudcroft nearby is also a great little gem to visit.
Just looked it up. Will definitely check it out on my next visit.
I worked fo the DOE in Albuquerque. On the 50th anniversary of I attended a reception that had General Paul Tibbets and General Charles Sweeney and shook their hannds.
I met Mr. Tibbetts twice once at a book signing in Knoxville and at a gun show in Louisville very furm hand shake and a quality man
I always enjoy your videos!
I appreciate that!
"Jumbo", was actually a conventional-high-explosives blockbuster, one of several large-scale high-explosives tests detonated in the vicinity of Trinity, to "Register" it's force/yield, before the actual full-scale Fission Shot. The Trinity implosive sphere's physical dimensions, was considerably smaller than this, Steve.
Jumbo looks a lot more like the Soviet's Tsar Bomba, the largest manmade (Hydrogen Bomb) explosion ever, at up to 60MT. Now, that one, was still causing significant damage, 200 miles from the hypocenter, with a noticeable thermal pulse felt--at nearly the speed of light--500 miles from the hypocenter! The fireball breached our atmosphere. Tested in October of '61.
Astonishing, that the better part of a century has already passed, since Trinity was "popped-off".
How is it safe to visit ground zero? Isn’t there harmful radiation there that will persist for hundreds of years?
There isn't a lot of extra radiation anymore, it's safe for a visit.
I am amazed that it isn’t still highly radioactive.
Look at Hiroshima and Nagasaki today.
Supposedly you get more radiation on a cross country flight than by visiting Trinity.
Most radiation from nuclear bombs go straight into the atmosphere and dissipate.
i could see white flashes on small portions of the screen, wondering if those are fallout related
That is awe inspiring. I’ve only been to White Sands sand dunes as a kid.
What a great video. Thanks for sharing. Hard to imagine what it was like there on the day of the explosion.
Why not radioactive rattlesnakes? Critters at Chernobyl are radioactive.
I saw a ton of ants and apparently the ants there took a lot of the trinitite so I wondered what kind of changes were done to them over the years.
Where do you think Adam Ant came from? Now it all makes sense
42-65274 Ascension-takeoff 1944
2400 hours equator Cross
(14th personal of 1034)
42-65274 Accra-landing 1945
Always the best videos of interesting places. You should consider making a Sidetrack book of sites you've visited!
I visited Trinity in 1987. I found a little piece of trinitite then, and I’m surprised there’s still some laying around. Personally I wish the DOD had left the ground intact and built a walking bridge over it and let the glass remain.
Radioactive rattlesnakes? That's got to be part of Fallout 5 when it comes out...
the glow in the dark rattlesnakes taste so much better than the normal ones .
@@sickofthestupid1067 Indeed. Consuming some can be rather... enlightening.
Lol I wasn't the only one who focused on that specific part of the video lol
So damn cool. Imagine going to the Marshall Islands and seeing where the Thermonuclear tests took place, bombs hundreds of times the power of Trinity. Bombs that reached tens of millions of degrees and vaporizing parts of the islands, and seeing those unbelievable craters. It’s still amazing to me that man can build something so unimaginably powerful for something so small. Incredible
By coincidence I watched Bill Shatner's atomic bomb movie last night. Curious if visitors are permitted to bring their own gieger counter.
I worked at North Oscura Peak, mountain east of site, back in the 80s. I looked down on that place every day for years.
Very interesting! I learned just recently that my grandfather worked at the Oak Ridge National Lab. I wonder if he knew what was going on?
Always wanted to go there. Is on my bucket list.
I know I'm totally wrong, but wasn't there a fake neighborhood built to see how the explosion would affect it?
that was done at the Nevada test range if I am not mistaken .
That was a different explosion and state. it was at the Nevada National Security Site - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_Test_Site
A couple of others have mentioned but that's at the Nevada Test Site. That's also where Indiana Jones got nuked in the fridge I believe!
That's right, it was the Nevada Test Site. I took a bus tour to there. Watched videos on the way and drove to and toured a few of the buildings.
I've ALWAYS wanted to go to this place. I know it's only open twice a year because it's on the White Sands but it's just... some place I'd LOVE to go see. Thanks for taking us along, I hope to follow in your steps on this one for sure.
To stand at a place where the world pivoted must take your breath away.
I live in las Cruces NM white sands is close to my town n i been to the military base wit my dad cuz he was moving some militarys furniture n i got to see all the rockets n stuff inside the place they have but this place i need to go for sure but dont no were its at
You are bald from fallout
Long before that!
I enjoy your videos so much, they give me ideas on things to do with the family. Thank you kind sir
Always something interesting to share with us, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you. For a well done interesting, informative video.
Eerily captivating. So cool how your interests radiate.
Sad we had to drop those bombs, but they gave us no other choice.
Much prefer seeing this site on TV instead of in person.
I know it been years but! I would not want to go near there!
Amazing to see that bit of trinitite still in the ground after all these years
... my dad worked at White Sands ...
I have the sign welcome to Virginia
Thanks for a great video.
Radioactive rattlesnakes :)
WOW! This is a site that I really would like to see. I have always wanted to go to some of these sites in NM where they tested the bombs. Thanks for pointing out that it is only open on those two days a year. I'd hate to drive out there and find out I can't get in. Again thanks for doing the video and keep them coming.
This is the only site in N M where the bomb was tested.
Fascinating! Thanks for posting this.
Fantastic video. And horrifying, although I know the A-bombs were necessary.
Thank you!
I would love to go see this before i die
Radioactive bbq. ☢️🍖
i was there 1975.
It is kind of weird to think of it as the bomb that saved my life! My father was stationed tinian in 1945, where the Enola Gay took off from. The whole island had been in training for a land invasion, my father was a flyer! They estimated a million Americans soldiers would have died, one of them probably my father!
Why cant you tao or beam me
Interesting video 😃👍
Thank you 👍
I was at Trinity site! Very interesting place! I learned so much here! Of course I had a guiger count with me! I got a few souvenirs from the gift shop! Dr. Tim Rasico M.D. Ph.D.
Bucket list item
A great book to read about the development of fission bombs is Day of Trinity by Lansing Lamont. As noted by others, Jumbo was not a bomb but rather a containment device that in the end was never used.
My brother was in White Sands. He was one of the soldiers who were at the first launching of the red stone missle. I believe I was 10. Years ago. But I remember some things vividly.
An interesting counterpart to visiting the Trinity Site is to visit the Bomb Museum (officially Branbury Science Museum) in Los Alamos
Nice field trip, I was under the impression there was a small mockup town to monitor how these items would fare in a bombing. I guess that was late as they experimented with the bomb.
The town was at the Nevada test site.
@@SidetrackAdventurescan people visit the site ? 😮
I never woulda thought to visit this place. Thanks.
Am lucky to have been to Trinity site many times, I worked at White Sands.
I know the descendants of people who owned the land before it was taken over by the government. Because of that, my husband and I could have gotten a private tour out their, but we never went. It's interesting that they have all had some form of cancer.
Cool.
I served in White Sands Missile Range in the early 1980s. What a shithole. 60 Mike's to El Paso and 25 miles to Las Cruces to just go to McDs. We not only had cable TV, we had cable radio. We couldn't even get radio!
We still have the Von Braun house still on base where Werner Von Braun lived when he was plucked from Germany in Operation Paperclip and brought to work for the US missile development. No monument to Robert Goddard, the American Von Braun, who did much research in rocket development in the 1920s-1930s.
There's Goddard Hall at NMSU in Las Cruces.
This is about the trinity site, not about being a whiner.
Love that the Padres changed back to brown and gold. Actually makes sense for the name of the club and seperates them from to 28 teams that have blue and red as their colors.
It's kind of sick that a place like this is treated like a county fair with barbecue.
I've been to White Sands, but not to Trinity. This is a bucket list trip! Thanks, Steve!
Radioactive rattlesnakes sound terrifying, LOL!
I appreciate this so much and the pictures especially for keeping it clean for students to view.
The original McDonald house is gone, this one is a reproduction.
Bring Bermuda triangle and food now
Tap
4:00 the is crazy how they use I rock .. and I nuke wapens can make extinct all life
Very interesting vid man. Thanks for posting this. 😁
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for uploading this rare video ... 👊
Who is here after watching the Nolan masterpiece
Thanks for d video really appreciate it.
Great Vids !! Saffetey fi de bebes tek dem to de hidey hoals wid meetel doars oar de pooper closssete
Sobering. What humans are capable of.
yes. Humans are specialists in genocide. remarkable.
Very informative thank you i really like this
This is right in my backyard.
Thanks for this video. I'd love to see this in person but it's both too far to travel and, especially in light of the new movie release, likely to be absolutely swarmed with tourists going forward.
I think the next day its open will be packed because of the movie.
Thank you for the wonderful video
radioactive rattle snakes
Thanks for sharing.
7:07 man I love the government CIA
WOW, what a place to visit
Do radioactive rattlesnakes glow in the dark?
I hope so.