RADIATIVE ENERGY TRANSFER FROM NUCLEAR DETONATIONS ABOVE 50-KM ALTITUDE
Abstract
The thermal energy flux expected at optimally oriented surfaces at the earth's surface from nuclear bursts detonated above 50 kilometers altitude has been computed from basic physical principles. The chief principles involved are a) absorption by the earth's atmosphere of a black-body X-ray spectrum from a point source near 10 to the 7th degrees K; (b) heating of air to some temperature depending upon its known internal energy-temperature function; (c) radiative cooling of the heated air assuming thermal equilibrium; (d) disposition of the radiant emission into three energy bands; cold oxygen absorption band, ozone absorption band, and the atmospheric passband.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0404028
Entities
People
- R. I. Miller
- T. O. Passell
Organizations
- SRI International