Starfish Prime
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Starfish Prime was a high-altitude nuclear test conducted by the United States, a joint effort of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the Defense Atomic Support Agency. It was launched from Johnston Atoll on July 9, 1962, and was the largest nuclear test conducted in outer space, and one of five conducted by the US in space.
The debris fireball stretching along Earth's magnetic field with air-glow aurora as seen at 3 minutes from a surveillance aircraft.
The flash created by the explosion as seen through heavy cloud cover from Honolulu, 900 miles (1,450 km) away
Another view of Starfish Prime through thin cloud, as seen from Honolulu
Frame of the Starfish Prime Nuclear Test
High-altitude nuclear explosion
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High-altitude nuclear explosions are the result of nuclear weapons testing within the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere and in outer space. Several such tests were performed at high altitudes by the United States and the Soviet Union between 1958 and 1962.
Hardtack Teak, 1958
Frame of the Starfish Prime nuclear test
Late phases of TEAK fireball and formation of Northern Branch of Aurora as viewed from aircraft flying northwest of explosion.
Hardtack I Orange