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Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

lanl.gov

61–70 of 106 posts

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#61

I imagine this falls under the remit of "nuclear warhead research without actual warheads".

> When it’s ready, experiments at Scorpius will be similar to DARHT but with the added complexity of using subcritical amounts of plutonium instead of surrogate materials.

They basically explicitly say that without just coming out and saying it. This kind of hyper fast explosion analysis and photography is a big part of making implosion bombs work properly.

edit: actually they just say it, they don't have to be coy everyone knows the US and other countries study this and it doesn't violate the NTBT because it's sub critical.

> essential to the Lab’s stockpile stewardship mission because it helps scientists test and understand the fundamental characteristics of materials and explosive events to inform computational models and analyses without ever detonating an actual weapon.

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#63

Every time I read about one of the national labs doing this research, I wonder how much longer we will head about these. I feel fairly positive that DOGE's layoffs and budget cuts mean this output will fade away in time.

[flagged]

> What if DOGE savings

These savings are not material. And if they were they wouldn’t matter—the Congress blew out our deficit by trillions irrespective of anything DOGE did.

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I worry about this, but these capabilities are hard to replace. This kind of research hasn’t historically been something you can outsource to private companies. Or—at least—it hasn’t been until now. Even if this administration wants to open that door, the infrastructure investment required for the accelerators alone is staggering: easily in the multiple billions.

Maybe I'm misreading your comment, but you seem like you're talking about privatizing this research whereas the other commenter seems to be talking about public cuts leading to a reduction of research. Just because something gets cut doesn't mean it gets outsourced elsewhere.

I guess my point is that it's hard to simply cut research that's essential for certifying that the stockpile is safe and works. I'll avoid making any predictions, because who the hell knows what's going to happen, but I think dynamic imaging work may prove a tough target for DOGE.

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Your framing of the question suggests you believe in ideology, because you're posing a purity based based on hypotheticals alone. Where is the actual data for DOGE, in any department doing science?

That's a great way to always be right: just claim the data that disputes your position is non-existent.

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

>What if DOGE savings create more money for important science? >Your answer to this question determines whether you believe in ideology or data. I've upvoted your comment to give you time to show us your data.

[flagged]

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#67

Every time I read about one of the national labs doing this research, I wonder how much longer we will head about these. I feel fairly positive that DOGE's layoffs and budget cuts mean this output will fade away in time.

[flagged]

What if doge does something it's not doing? Yeah that might make it good, but they're not.

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your framing of the question suggests you believe in ideology, because you're posing a purity based based on hypotheticals alone. Where is the actual data for DOGE, in any department doing science?

That's a great way to always be right: just claim the data that disputes your position is non-existent.

You have not made an argument based on data, you made an argument based on having wishful thinking about Doge and what the government will do with "the savings".

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your framing of the question suggests you believe in ideology, because you're posing a purity based based on hypotheticals alone. Where is the actual data for DOGE, in any department doing science?

That's a great way to always be right: just claim the data that disputes your position is non-existent.

[deleted]

Re: Los Alamos is capturing images of explosions at 7 millionths of a second

#70
post #54
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In which direction? Presumably side to side?

Due to relativity the length of Ariana Grande will appear to change such that all observers agree on the same speed of light.

But... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Side_to_Side
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