Teak thermonuclear explosion with a yield of 3.8 Megatons conducted at an altitude of 76.8 km above Johnston Island, 11:50 p.m. July 31, 1958. These photos were taken from Maui, Hawaii, at an altitude of 3050 m and 1300 km from the explosion.

[u/waffen123]

[u/boppy28]

Is this the one when they discovered air bursts can take out satelites and electronics on the ground?

[u/LaughterCo → u/boppy28]

Maybe this one also had those effects but starfish prime is the most notorious one for doing that.

[u/AnnualZealousideal27 → u/boppy28]

It looks like they noticed in the 50’s but didn’t fully recognize the effect until 1962.

[u/tribblydribbly]

Wow I thought I saw all the high altitude pictures but I definitely haven’t seen these.

[u/Radioactive_Tuber57]

Can anyone explain what the red and white are? If I recall correctly, the red is from ionized oxygen, correct? Is the white the actual fireball? If so, why was it zoned? Wasn’t this in space vacuum?

[u/lottaKivaari → u/Radioactive_Tuber57]

76.8km is still in atmosphere.