Operation SANDSTONE Nuclear Explosions. Atomic Weapons Tests. Operation Sandstone. Annex 1, Part 3. Volume 1. Report to Joint Chiefs of Staff

1948 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOINT TASK FORCE (SEVEN) WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Weapons ◽  
Joint Chiefs Of Staff ◽  
Nuclear Explosions

scholarly journals Nowhere to Hide

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (07) ◽  
pp. 57-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Valenti
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Fission Products ◽  
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Atomic Weapons ◽  
Underground Nuclear Explosions ◽  
Nuclear Explosions ◽  
The Us ◽  
Test Ban

This article discusses about a global monitoring system that detects nuclear detonations either in remote areas or underground. Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed the Automated Radioxenon Sampler/Analyzer (ARSA), and the Radionuclide Aerosol Sampler/Analyzer (RASA), to provide more detailed and accurate data on surreptitious nuclear detonations faster than other systems. According to the test ban treaty, in the event of a valid question regarding whether a nuclear detonation has taken place, any member state may request onsite inspections of any other state party, or in any area beyond government jurisdiction , such as the open ocean. ARSA analyzes air samples for radioactive xenon, or xenon isotopes, primarily xenon 133 and xenon 135, which are major indicators of fission that seep into the atmosphere from underground nuclear explosions. Detonating atomic weapons beneath the earth is the primary method of avoiding detection. RASA is designed to detect fission products from atmospheric nuclear explosions that attach themselves to dust particles.

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