Trinity Site open house

[Adrian W]

Late notice I know, but just looked this up:Trinity Site is open to the public twice a year--on the first Saturday in April and October-- no reservations are required.

On July 16, 1945 the world changed with the explosion of the first atomic bomb. The explosion took place at Trinity Site which is on what is now White Sands Missile Range. Trinity is a national historic landmark which is open to the public twice a year. The following links will provide you with information on the history of the site, how to get there and some of the historic images.

This is in New Mexico.

GPS Coordinates for obelisk (exact GZ) = N33.40.636 W106.28.525

The next Trinity Site open house is scheduled for April 7, 2007.

http://www.wsmr.army.mil/pao/TrinitySite/trinst.htm

There are two ways of entering the restricted missile range:

1) Stallion Gate Entrance - Exit I-25 on mile marker 139 (San Antonio, N.M.) and head 12 miles east; or, exit Highway 54 onto Highway 380 and head west 53 miles of Carrizozo, N.M. Turn on the Stallion Gate entrance and head south five miles of Highway 380. The gate is opened from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors are allowed to enter and exit unescorted anytime during these special days.

For a pdf format New Mexico State highway map follow this link to the state's map page. Trinity Site is clearly marked below U.S. Highway 380 on the large road map.

2) Alamogordo Alternative - The Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce sponsors a convoy for visitors that desire a tour. The Alamogordo caravan meeting site will be at the Tularosa High School Athletic Field Parking lot. Turn west off Hwy. 54/70 in Tularosa at Higuero St. Proceed west to La Luz Ave. Turn right on La Luz Ave. (north) to athletic field. Line up will begin at 7 a.m. Caravan departs at 8 a.m. Visitors entering this way will travel as an escorted group to and from Trinity Site. The drive is 145 miles roundtrip and there are no service station facilities on the missile range. The convoy is scheduled to leave Trinity Site at 12:30 or 1 p.m., depending on its size, for the return to Tularosa. The convoy may leave later if there is a large number of vehicles returning.

Cameras are allowed at Trinity Site but their use is strictly prohibited anywhere else on White Sands Missile Range.

There are no ceremonies or speakers.

For more information contact the missile range Public Affairs Office at (505) 678-1134/1700.

[bonnie w]

Just a curious mind, isn't the soil still radio active and contaminated til the end of time? The soldiers that stood witnessing this spectacular event without any protection all died, I believe from various related conditions to radiation.

[dsheets70]

Just a curious mind, isn't the soil still radio active and contaminated til the end of time? The soldiers that stood witnessing this spectacular event without any protection all died, I believe from various related conditions to radiation.

Been There. It is a great experience. To answer your question though. There is a Greenhouse like structure where the existing green glass and soil has been left alone. The public can lift the cover and look at the original green glass and radiated soil which is under lead glass. The actual top layer was disposed of long ago after the blast.

There is a obelisque at ground zero built of lava rock and mortar it marks where the original tower was built that held "The Device."

[Morgan]

Just a curious mind, isn't the soil still radio active and contaminated til the end of time? The soldiers that stood witnessing this spectacular event without any protection all died, I believe from various related conditions to radiation.

Bonnie,

You might look at this link for a discussion of the current radioactivity at the Trinity site:

Radiation

Maybe you could give us a reference for the deaths of the soldiers.

[Morgan]

Here is a site that debunks some rumors about Trinity Site:

Rumors

One example:

4. Soldiers in trenches around ground zero. People often ask where the trenches were located that the soldiers watched from. They are confusing Trinity Site with much later testing at sites in Nevada and elsewhere. The Trinity Site test was a scientific test to see if the bomb would work. Soldiers and civilians alike were either in bunkers or at base camp and Compania Hill.

[bonnie w]

Bonnie,

You might look at this link for a discussion of the current radioactivity at the Trinity site:

Radiation

Maybe you could give us a reference for the deaths of the soldiers.

Morgan, I can't decide whether I will ask the audience, do 50/50 or phone a friend. Ok I read on and see your other post sorry about that it took place in Nevada the one I am thinking of. This site is more than just FGRV it's an education.

[Morgan]

Morgan, I can't decide whether I will ask the audience, do 50/50 or phone a friend. Ok I read on and see your other post sorry about that it took place in Nevada the one I am thinking of. This site is more than just FGRV it's an education.

You're right about that, Bonnie; an education.

I didn't even know they had open house at Trinity Site until I saw Adrian's post, and I live about 100 miles west of the site.

I'll have to get down to Las Cruces (120 miles) and meet Adrian one day.

He seems to know New Mexico camping.

[Adrian W]

There is still radation there, yes, the top soil, etc was scaped off, etc. If I remember correctly by being there is liken to getting you mouth x-rayed at the dentist. It was also a small bomb compaired to the later H bombs which use an A bomb to trigger them.
The green trinicite (sp?), which is the desert sand/soil melted to a glass can still be found in tiny "beads", would not want to take any of it home with me, nor is it legal to do so. People live in the two cities in Japan where the other two A bombs were droped at least I believe they do.

I asked my wife if she would like to go back out there this Sat. No, she has had her radiation already. Ha!

[Morgan]

There is still radation there, but the top soil, etc was scaped off, etc. If I remember correctly by being there is liken to getting you mouth x-rayed at the dentist. It was also a small bomb compaired to the later H bombs which use an A bomb to trigger them.
The green trinicite (sp?), which is the desert sand/soil melted to a glass can still be found in tiny "beads", would not want to take any of it home with me, nor is it legal to do so. People live in the two cities in Japan where the other two A bombs were droped at least I believe they do.

I asked my wife if she would like to go back out there this Sat. No, she has had her radiation already. Ha!

We're planning to go if we can get up early enough. It looks like about 4 hours for us via NM-52, I-25, US-380.

Adrian, if you get up to Silver City, come see me.