April 14, 2024 The Atomic Museum in Las Vegas Part 1

The wind continued well into the night but today started as a beautiful sunny day.  So off we went to the Atomic Museum..

Now you may ask since we are in Las Vegas why are we not doing all the Las Vegas Strip "Stuff".  Well, for many years, I spent time here for "mom and me" weeks and thoroughly enjoyed it.  But I also know that there is so much more to Las Vegas and we have explored some of those places when we stayed in Pahrump, NV.   

The Atomic Museum has been on my bucket list for years so that is what we picked to do this trip.  Also they run an all day trip to the Nevada Test Sites monthly.  You can reserve a space when it opens up.  Last month, they were taking reservations for September thru December.  I tried.  They were all taken within two minutes.   So another reason for coming here is "do I want to try again?".   The answer is YES!  Next openings will be for 2025 - January thru April.  So hopefully!!

So this morning, away we went..  

The museum is well laid out with information, pictures, videos, exhibits and places to rest in between.

Their website says:

Atomic Museum visitors will:

Learn about world events leading up to the establishment of the Nevada Test Site.

Learn about the progression of the Test Site from the above-ground tests to underground tests and non-nuclear activities.

See a replica of the Control Point where the countdown was conducted before each nuclear detonation.

Experience a Ground Zero Theater simulation of an above-ground test. Reflect on the history of atomic testing and its relevance to national security and international stability.

https://www.atomicmuseum.vegas/visit/

There was so so much information and I did take lots of pictures but I am only going to post some highlights and some items that amazed me.

If you want all my pictures from that visit, please send me an email..

Location of the Nevada Test Site:

One of the first towns to support the site:

Now a ghost town:

Two days a year, they allow folks to come to the site.  We did this many years ago and it was interesting to see.   It is usually spring and fall so if you are interested, it is worth the trip.

What blew me away with this is that an island was vaporized.  I cannot even image that power.  Please read the last line...  Very scary.

Another issue for going underground is the findings of radioactivity many miles from the site - it was carried by the winds.

This was nice to know:

The underground tunnels:

There were a number of videos showing what happens - WOW!

There were a lot of interactive things there but this one was the best.  There was a Geiger counter to check the effect of different barriers to radioactivity...   Fun!  But then at one point, I had the counter in my hand and scratched my head and it went off.  Well, then I had to check myself and Andy too.  Have to say my head is radioactive... HMMMM.  (Say no more, please!)

There was a great video around this area that talked about the four legs of Nuclear Energy:

1. War - whether we like it or not, we need to be prepared.

2. Health - Nuclear power has helped the medical field and us with safe testing and diagnostics.

3. Power - Electrical facilities all over the world bringing power to home and industry.

4. Industry - Helping us create, sustain and improve our lives.

Awesome!  I wish they would have done more on the benefits of nuclear.

There was a theater with a ground zero simulation of an above-ground test - WOW!!!

There was a section about the Nevada Test Site geology, history, native peoples, plants, animals, etc. and the impact of the testing.  Very interesting.  They do have all kinds of programs monitoring the area.

Although no testing has happened in many years, they continue to do research because they need to be ready if called upon.

If the testing resumes.. Las Vegas has grown substantially in the last 30 years.. it will be interesting.

What a nice find:

So glad to see this training happening for first responders:

They also had a number of timelines throughout the museum and I will post in the next blog.

Since we like In-n-Out Burgers, we were told to check out Habit Burger.  There was one on the way back and we stopped.  They are really good and so were the fries.  Will keep them on our list.

The next blog will have the timelines.