THE ATOM: Smoke Rings in the Sky

One morning last week a stately B-36 flew on a steady course more than 40,000 feet above the Nevada wastelands. Miles ahead and 10,000 feet below, Sabre jets flashed back and forth across its path, laying down a grillwork of drifting smoke lines. Then the jets turned and sped out of danger. Two minutes later the big bomber released a bomb triggered to explode six miles in the air. There was an orange-white flash, then a fireball about a half-mile in diameter, a shock wave that danced to the ground 75 miles away,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!