THE EARLY OPTICAL SPECTRUM AND AIRSHOCK FROM A 500-TON TNT EXPLOSION
Abstract
Three photographic records were obtained by Project 1.14 on SNOW BALL: two millisecond framing-camera films of the explosion and one streak film of the optical spectrum. From these records (and others from small charges) it was: (1) deduced that the explosion light was produced largely by impurity radiation - from sodium, calcium, and cyanogen - and by forbidden O2-bands; expected airshock radiation was not detected; (2) derived airshock pressures in the region, roughly, 5000 to 200 psi. These derived pressures are about a factor of 2 higher than pressure-gage values. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are discussed - including the possibility that the airshock and the luminosity front were not well coupled - but no satisfactory explanation was found.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 05, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0662404
Entities
People
- J. G. Connor Jr.
- John Wisotski
- L. Rudlin
Organizations
- Naval Ordnance Laboratory