Nevada

5 of the most significant atomic blasts at the Nevada Test Site

Published

1 year ago

November 12, 2024

5 of the most significant atomic blasts at the Nevada Test Site

The Nevada Test Site didn’t waste any time.

President Harry Truman established the site, a 680-square-mile section of the Nellis Air Force Gunnery and Bombing Range, on Dec. 18, 1950.

Less than six weeks later, a 1-kiloton device, equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT, was dropped from an Air Force B-50 bomber.

It was the first of 928 nuclear tests, 100 of them above ground, at what was originally known as the Nevada Proving Grounds and is now referred to as the Nevada National Security Site.

We asked the Atomic Museum’s Joe Kent, deputy director and curator, and Matt Malinowski, director of education, about the most significant blasts at the test site.

Here are five of their picks, with the series name followed by the test name, along with how the Review-Journal covered them.

Ranger/Able

Date: Jan. 27, 1951

What it was: This was the first atomic test in the continental U.S. since the Manhattan Project’s Trinity test on July 16, 1945.

“It was very much, ‘OK, let’s get started. Let’s see how it goes,’ ” Kent said.

How we covered it: “Roulette wheels and dice tables, which operate 24 hours a day here, were still doing a brisk business when the blast went off around 5 a.m.,” we wrote.

“In the Golden Nugget, a man standing at one of the craps tables felt the shock. He paused and looked around.

“ ‘Must be an A-bomb,’ he said. He turned back to the table and went on with the game.”

Local insurance agent O.A. Kimball said one of his clients called before dawn to tell him the plaster on her walls and ceiling were cracked by the explosion.

“ ‘The doors really played a tune when the thing went off,’ Kimball reported her as saying, ‘and I was afraid for a few minutes the house would fall down.’ ”

Upshot-Knothole/Harry

Date: May 19, 1953

What it was: This 32-kiloton test became known as “Dirty Harry” when the fallout, which was intended to land between Alamo and Glendale, was blown downwind into St. George, Utah.

“That’s probably the quintessential test that is tied to the downwinder movement,” Kent said of the presumed victims of the blast who were exposed to radiation.

How we covered it: “The cloud, which was barely visible in Las Vegas because of the overcast, gray dawn, traveled in an east-southeast direction and the atomic energy commission (sic) established highway checkpoints on Highways 91 and 93 to warn motorists of the possibility of radioactive fallout.

“The checkpoints were established at St. George, Alamo, Glendale and Nellis air force base (sic) and were a precautionary measure. No hazardous levels of radioactivity were reported.”

The next day, we checked in on St. George.

“Having an atomic cloud hover over their town caused little concern to the men, women and children who live in St. George, Utah, who kept indoors several hours yesterday after atomic energy commission officials reported that there would be some fallout there after yesterday morning’s shot.”

St. George resident Dick Hammer estimated between 30 and 40 people, most of them tourists, were in his Dick’s Cafe when the word that people should remain indoors came over the radio. One woman, he said, wondered what would happen to them.

“ ‘Hell, lady, I don’t know,’ Hammer replied, ‘but I don’t think you have much to worry about.’ ”

Teapot/Apple 2

Date: May 5, 1955

What it was: This was the second of “two highly publicized civil effects tests just to see what would happen to a small town,” Kent said. “What would be the concerns if the town was hit with one of these bombs.”

It’s also the test that inspired the scene in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” in which Indy rides out a nuclear blast in a refrigerator.

A 29-kiloton device was dropped from a 500-foot tower near Doom Town, the symbolic burgh made up of fully furnished homes, a radio station, a gas station and other signs of civilization, with mannequins representing the residents.

How we covered it: “A fearsome nuclear weapon bludgeoned this guinea-pig city today while the civil defense teams staged a dress rehearsal of their possible roles in the atomic age.

“Dummies dressed as men, women and children were grouped under the atom’s devastating might in an experiment to determine how families in an American target city might survive the fury of nuclear warfare.”

The blast was described as “a spectacular orange, blue and purple fireball.”

The next day, officials got a full look at the damage.

“Death and serious injury struck the dummy men, women and children of Doomsday Drive, the little dirt road lying only 4,700 feet from ground zero,” we wrote.

“A mannequin mother died horribly in her one-story home of pre-cast concrete slabs. Portions of her plaster-and-paint body were found in three different areas. A mannequin tot, perhaps the size of your 3-year-old, was blown out of bed and showered with needle-sharp glass fragments. This house withstood the blast, but its occupants may not have.”

Plumbbob/Hood

Date: July 5, 1957

What it was: A 74-kiloton thermonuclear device was dropped from a balloon, sending an atomic cloud 49,000 feet into the air, as part of the largest above-ground test at the site. The test is featured in the Atomic Museum’s Ground Zero Theater.

It also was part of the Desert Rock exercises, essentially war games designed to test how members of the military would perform during an atomic war.

“They would have these exercises along with the blasts,” Malinowski said. “So the troops would be put into foxholes or trenches, told to stay down low, not to look directly at the light while it was going off.”

How we covered it: “Nuclear scientists this morning fired the largest atomic blast ever to be detonated in the continental United States and the resulting explosion caused veteran observers 13 miles from ground zero to gasp with awe at its terrible immensity.

“The flash and fulminating fireball caused joshua (sic) trees and yucca plants near zero to burst into flames, making the desert floor resemble a flaming city.”

Elsewhere in that edition, it was reported that “a United Airlines pilot flying from Honolulu to Los Angeles radioed that he saw the light of the Nevada blast as his plane cruised 1,000 miles off the California coast.” A bright flash was reported in San Francisco, while residents in Hollywood, Anaheim and Newport Beach reported feeling “two jarring shocks” at 5:05 a.m., 25 minutes after the detonation.

Julin/Divider

Date: Sept. 23, 1992

What it was: This underground vertical shaft test of less than 20 kilotons proved to be the final full-scale test at the site. It wasn’t designed to be, but a nine-month testing moratorium went into effect on Oct. 1. The next year, it was extended indefinitely.

“They still do subcritical testing on the weapons stockpile out there,” Malinowski said. “So even though they’re not doing full-scale detonations, there are experiments they do to kind of verify that the stockpile is still well-maintained and active.”

How we covered it: “The United States conducted its sixth nuclear weapons test of the year Wednesday at the Nevada Test Site, five days after the last one, while four Belgian anti-nuclear activists hid within a mile or two of ground zero, U.S. authorities said.

“The four — three men and a woman — said they feared for their safety as Department of Energy scientists began counting down the last five minutes prior to the 8:04 a.m. detonation, prompting them to flee on bicycles to a safer location, some three miles from ground zero.”

They were arrested there about an hour later.

“I was kind of scared,” said Michiel De Grande, 25, outside the Foley Federal Building after he was ordered to appear the next day for a hearing on federal trespass charges. “The feeling inside was real strange, the feeling of the pain of the Earth. It shook for 10 seconds. Even before the bomb exploded you could feel the Earth crying.”

Contact Christopher Lawrence at clawrence@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4567. Follow @life_onthecouch on X.

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Nevada

Travel Nevada Presents The Neon in Nature Series, Featuring Artwork by DARIUSTWIN, at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, January 15 – April 6, 2026

Published

5 hours ago

January 8, 2026

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Travel Nevada Presents The Neon in Nature Series, Featuring Artwork by DARIUSTWIN, at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, January 15 – April 6, 2026

Nevada Division of Tourism

Unique exhibition marks DARIUSTWIN’s first museum show in the U.S.

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / January 8, 2026 / Travel Nevada is proud to present The Neon in Nature Series, which features artwork by light painting photographer and animator Darren Pearson (better known as DARIUSTWIN)at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, beginning January 15, 2026. The exhibition is DARIUSTWIN’s first U.S. museum show. To celebrate the exhibition opening, Travel Nevada will pay admission fees for the first 200 guests to arrive directly at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Created exclusively in Nevada, The Neon in Nature Series captures just some of the stunning landscapes and striking night skies that you’ll find in Nevada when you get a little out there – all juxtaposed with DARIUSTWIN’s signature light paintings infused with and inspired by Nevada character (and characters). The exhibition will inspire museum guests to visit the Nevada ghost towns, state parks, historical landmarks, and more that take center stage in this unique, vibrant, and whimsical exhibition.

“Nevada’s diverse surroundings and dark night skies provided an ideal backdrop to compose this series,” said DARIUSTWIN. “I’m grateful to the Travel Nevada team for commissioning the work and to the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, for housing my very first museum exhibition in the country. I’m hopeful that it will encourage museum guests to travel throughout Nevada, which I found was so rich in history and ripe with adventure opportunities.”

“When the Travel Nevada team first saw DARIUSTWIN’s work, we immediately knew that a partnership with him would inspire people to get a little out there in the state. The Neon in Nature Series is a creative take on what makes Nevada special,” said Rafael Villanueva, chief executive officer of Travel Nevada. “Additionally, we’re thrilled that this exhibition will be housed in the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. We share a mission with the museum to enhance the quality of life for Nevada’s visitors and residents, and what better place to host The Neon in Nature series than a city whose history is intertwined with neon?”

The Neon in Nature Series, Presented by Travel Nevada will be on view at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas through April 6, 2026.

“The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is delighted to host this art- and Nevada-focused installation by DARIUSTWIN,” said Hollis J. Gillespie, director of the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. “The Neon in Nature Series exemplifies our mission of educating the public about the history and natural history of the state, and it does so in an electrifying way. We look forward to sharing it with our visitors.”

EDITORS:  Select high-resolution images from The Neon in Nature Series, Presented by Travel Nevada are available here. Photo credit for all images: “Photo courtesy of Travel Nevada/DARIUSTWIN. ©️ 2024 DARIUSTWIN.”

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About Travel Nevada

The heart of Nevada shines through Travel Nevada, an organization focused on sharing the experiences, landmarks and living legends that make the Silver State a one-of-a-kind destination. Through community collaborations and strategic partnerships, we aim to connect with both locals and visitors alike, showcasing the sometimes-surprising, always-exciting treasures that keep people coming to Nevada. It’s theirs to explore-and ours to safekeep, from preserving our wild-at-heart way of life to our wide-open spaces. For more information, visit TravelNevada.com.

About the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas

Founded in 1982, the mission of the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, serves to educate a diverse public about the history and natural history of Nevada. The museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and disseminates material that contributes to an understanding and appreciation of the state. For more information, visit https://www.lasvegasnvmuseum.org/

About DARIUSTWIN

Darren Pearson, known as DARIUSTWIN, is a light painting photographer and animator whose glowing creations have illuminated landscapes around the world. Using long-exposure photography and custom crafted LED lights, Darren “paints” with light in real time, creating skeletal figures, dinosaurs, aliens, and fantastical characters that exist for only a moment before disappearing into the night. His work has been featured by National Geographic, Intel, Honda, and Apple, among others.

Based in Southern California, Darren has been creating light paintings for more than a decade, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, one exposure at a time. See more at dariustwin.com and follow @dariustwin.

Contact:
Tracie Barnthouse, Chief Communications Officer
tbarnthouse@travelnevada.com; 775-624-0618

SOURCE: Nevada Division of Tourism

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

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Nevada

Nevada gets thrilling overtime win against Wyoming at home 70-60

Published

17 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Nevada gets thrilling overtime win against Wyoming at home 70-60

RENO, Nev. (Nevada Athletics) – Nevada Women’s Basketball won its second straight game Wednesday night, getting a thrilling 70-60 overtime win against Wyoming at Lawlor Events Center.

Reigning Old Trapper Mountain West Freshman of the Week Skylar Durley led the Pack (6-9, 2-3 MW) in scoring with 18 points and led both teams in rebounds with a career high 14, recording her first double-double of her career.

Ahrray Young went 5-for-10 from the field for 11 points to go with eight boards.

Nevada’s resilience in the latter part of the fourth, which was punctuated by a key block from Young, forced the game into overtime.

The Pack’s shutdown defense held Wyoming (4-10, 1-4 MW) at bay in the final five, only allowing one point off of a free throw.

On the other end, the offense of Nevada went on a 6-0 run and shot 83.3 percent from the field.

Nevada outscored Wyoming 11-1 and held the Cowgirls without a field goal in OT.

The Pack opened regulation in perfect fashion, shooting a 7-for-7 from the field, 2-for-2 from three and 2-for-2 from the line in the first five minutes of action.

Nevada had a 10-0 run that was capitalized by holding Wyoming to a two-and-a-half minute scoring drought.

Through the first quarter, Nevada shot 64.3 percent and remained perfect from both deep and free throws.

Nevada’s hot start simmered in the second, only getting six points and closing the quarter on a field goal drought of just under four minutes.

Meanwhile, Wyoming’s shooting improved from the first, closing the gap to two.

Despite the slower quarter, Nevada carried its lead into the second half, 45-41.

The third quarter was nearly even, Nevada only shooting slightly better and outscoring Wyoming, 15-14.

The game stayed close through the fourth with three ties and four lead changes, leading to extra time.

As a team, the Pack outrebounded the Cowgirls, 40-28, and had 24 bench points to their six.

Nevada will hit the road and look to even its conference record as it faces New Mexico Saturday at 12 p.m.

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Nevada

Centennial vs. Liberty: Watch Nevada girls high school basketball showdown live

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

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Centennial vs. Liberty: Watch Nevada girls high school basketball showdown live

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The defending 5A state champion Centennial Bulldogs (7-3) open conference play with a challenging road test Wednesday night when they travel to Henderson to face the Liberty Patriots (10-7) in a Nevada 5A Southern basketball clash.

Coach Karen Weitz’s Bulldogs, seeking their second consecutive state title, will rely on their formidable frontcourt duo of forwards Nation Williams and Inieye Oruh, complemented by standout guard Sanai Branch. They will face a Patriots squad that has shown marked improvement under head coach Lorenzo Jarvis, powered by senior leaders Samantha Chesnut and Kiana Harworth alongside junior standout Neviah Nick.

With Liberty’s home court advantage potentially neutralizing Centennial’s championship pedigree, this early conference matchup could set the tone for both teams’ title aspirations in the competitive 5A Southern division.

Opening tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, January 7 with a live TV broadcast on NFHS Network.

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