Radioactivity, Cancer, and the Plight of Downwinders in New Mexico
The first atomic bomb.On July 16, 1945 the first atomic bomb was exploded in New Mexico, in the desert about 100 miles south of Albuquerque. It’s now called Trinity Site and is a prohibited area except for twice a year when it’s opened to the public. I took this tour about 10 years ago. I … More “Radioactivity, Cancer, and the Plight of Downwinders in New Mexico”
Black hole surprises
Figure 1. An artist’s drawing of a black hole named Cygnus X-1. It formed when a large star caved in. This black hole pulls matter from a blue star beside it. Credits: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss
What are black holes?Black holes are formed when a star dies. But it must be a heavy star, 5-10 times heavier than … More “Black hole surprises”
A cosmic mystery, Part 1: Gamma Ray Bursts.
TWO COSMIC MYSTERIES. I have personally encountered two cosmic mysteries early in my career – like about 40 years ago. They both involved massive, unprecedented sources of energy. The mysteries continued for decades and occasionally the two encounters kept popping up in my memory. Only in the last few years have both these mysteries been … More “A cosmic mystery, Part 1: Gamma Ray Bursts.”