Asymmetric Plasma Expansion from the ‘Starfish’ Explosion

Recent astronomical measurements of solar and celestial X-radiation have led to renewed interest in strong shock-wave phenomena arising from explosions which occur on an astrophysical scale as in solar flares, novae and in supernovae. Although on a much smaller scale, the ‘Starfish’ nuclear explosion at an altitude of 400 km over Johnson Island in 1962, provides a useful test of current understanding in this field.