Panorama of Los Alamos. Virtual tour of Los Alamos. Attractions, map, photos, videos. Los Alamos National Laboratory Who is most affected by the Sun

On July 16, 1945, an atomic bomb was detonated for the first time. It was developed within the walls of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which at the time of its founding was headed by Robert Oppenheimer himself, the greatest nuclear physicist.

The presented selection contains rare historical photographs of the laboratory, which was repeatedly mentioned by Fox Mulder, the hero of the series “The X-Files” during his investigations. Today, the Los Alamo laboratory is one of the largest in the United States, employing more than 12 thousand people, and one of the most secret. Nuclear weapons were developed here and the first American atomic bomb was created. Research is also being conducted here to study the genome of humans and other living organisms. The laboratory has other areas of research, but little is known about them.

Fuller Lodge. The building was built in 1928 as a canteen and housing for workers. Today, Fuller Lodge is an architectural landmark, as well as a cultural and community Center city ​​of Los Alamos. The building was designed by John Gaw Meem, an architect from Santa Fe.

Students from the Ranch School private school in Los Alamos. It was founded by Ashley Pond, a Detroit businessman in 1917. Students were given a classical education as well as other manly skills, which included shooting.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

In a cafe in Los Alamos. During World War II, the US military established the Los Alamos National Laboratory, known as Project Y, to begin secret research into developing nuclear weapons. Ranch School was purchased by the state. Highly qualified specialists flocked to the city from all over the United States. The United States urgently needed nuclear weapons to fight World War II and demonstrate its power.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos was not chosen as a center for nuclear development by chance. The project was led by physicist Robert Oppenheimer. He insisted that the laboratory be established in a place where there was an adequate supply of water, accessible labor and a temperate climate.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

In 1943, Los Alamos was not a typical American city. The average age of the city's residents was 20-30 years old, it was inhabited by representatives of the middle class, and there was practically no unemployment in Los Alamos.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

After the laboratory was founded in 1943, an influx of workers began. Housing prices began to rise rapidly. The number of inhabitants grew and the birth rate increased.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Due to the lack of housing, an entire village of “homes on wheels” was created.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

“Almost everyone involved in Project Y understood that the Project was going to be part of history,” recalled Robert Oppenheimer.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Kenneth Bainbridge, a Harvard nuclear physicist, joined Project Y in 1943. He oversaw the creation and testing of Trinity, the world's first plutonium bomb. Under his leadership, the first atomic explosion took place. After the first successful test, which took place on July 16, 1945, Kenneth congratulated Robert and said his legendary phrase: “Now we are all sons of bitches!”
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Preparations for the explosion of the first atomic bomb, Trinity. In the schedule of the bomb developers for July 16, 1945, only one word was written: “Bam!”
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Preparations for the explosion of the first atomic bomb, Trinity. The power of the explosion of the first bomb was equivalent, according to calculations, to the explosion of 18 thousand tons of TNT. The scale amazed even scientists who spent several years painstakingly working on it.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

On July 16, 1945, the world's first atomic bomb was detonated in the New Mexico desert. Kenneth Bainbridge, looking at the explosion, will say: “A dirty and amazing sight.”
Los Alamos National Laboratory

On July 16, 1945, leaders of the Manhattan Project (the code name for the US nuclear weapons program), including Robert Oppenheimer (in white hat) and General Leslie Groves, inspected the results of the devastating effects of the Trinity bomb.
Los Alamos National Laboratory / Time & Life Pictures via Getty Images

B-29 aircraft with serial number 44-86292. Its pilot, Paul Tibbetts, would later name it "Enola Gay" after his mother. In 1945, Paul's plane dropped an atomic bomb, codenamed "Baby," on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

The crew of the Enola Gay, led by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Tibbetts.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

In addition to “Baby,” another bomb called “Fat Man” will be dropped on Japan. It was decided to drop the second bomb on the basis that the first bomb would “stun” the enemy, and the second would demonstrate to the enemy the ability of the United States to produce more than one similar projectile. “Fat Man” was dropped on August 9, 1945 on Nagasaki. In the photo: workers load a bomb onto a plane.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Explosion over Hiroshima. US Navy Captain William Sterling Parsons, a member of the crew of the Enola Gay, would write to his father: “Despite the dark skies, there can be no doubt that the center of the Japanese army at Hiroshima no longer exists.”
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Inside Los Alamos National Laboratory. Photo from 1974. As the New York Times reported on March 6, 1999, China has produced its atomic bombs based on information stolen from the Los Alamos laboratory.
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Conducting research at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Photo from 1974. Atomic Energy Commission via Getty Images

US President Bill Clinton, one of two American presidents to visit the laboratory. In May 1993, he visited the Los Alamos National Laboratory Research Center. Before him, John Kennedy visited the laboratory in 1962 as part of a trip to military installations in the western United States.
Dirck Halstead/Time & Life Pictures via Getty Images

January, 1995. In one of the premises of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 1995, laboratory scientists announced that they had completed work on the layout of the genes of 16 human chromosomes as part of the Human Genome Project. Work on the project lasted 13 years. Its tasks included finding out the exact sequence of nucleotides in DNA and the location of human genes, that is, their complete mapping.
Fred Rick / Time & Life Pictures via Getty Images

March, 1999. Unloading of waste from Los Alamos National Laboratory in Carlsbad (New Mexico). Carlsbad is home to the US Department of Energy's nuclear waste repository for transuranium elements.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

William Beams, arrested in 1999 near Santa Fe. William tried to block the path of a tractor-trailer transporting nuclear waste from the Los Alamos National Laboratory to Carlsbad.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

May, 2000. Repositories used to store low-level radioactive waste at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Due to fires in 2000, the storage facilities were damaged, although only slightly.
Paul Buck/AFP – Getty Images

Wen Ho Lee, accompanied by his daughter and lawyers, leaves the federal courthouse. September, 2000 Albuquerque, New Mexico. A former Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist spent nine months in solitary confinement after being accused of passing classified data to China. After the espionage charge was refuted, the scientist was accused of transferring certain information from a secure computer system at Los Alamos to his laptop, which was exposed to unauthorized access. Wen Ho Li's case was blown out of proportion.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

2006. Bees' capabilities in detecting explosives are being studied by Los Alamos scientists. Bees have a more delicate sense of smell than dogs. In addition, bees can penetrate almost inaccessible places and transmit their information in a matter of hours.
Rick Scibelli/Getty Images

June 9, 2008: Don Gries, a senior engineer at IBM, demonstrates the world's fastest computer, nicknamed "Roadrunner," which was destined for Los Alamos National Laboratory. As of November 2008, it was the most powerful computer in the world. The cost of the computer was $100 million. It made 1,000 trillion. operations per second. The computer was used to simulate nuclear explosions.
IBM via AP

This is one of two laboratories in the United States where nuclear weapons development began; at the same time, the Los Alamos Laboratory is the oldest, the second, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), began its work in 1952, while the first - in 1943. Thus, the need for a laboratory of this kind arose during World War II, with the goal of secretly developing nuclear weapons.


Article: Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a US Department of Energy laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States. This is one of two laboratories in the United States where nuclear weapons development began; at the same time, the Los Alamos Laboratory is the oldest, the second, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), began its work in 1952, while the first - in 1943. Thus, the need for a laboratory of this kind arose during World War II, with the goal of secretly developing nuclear weapons.
In general, calling a spade a spade, the laboratory at Los Alamos is the place where the atomic bomb was created.
The first director of the created center of intellect and technical thought was J. Robert Oppenheimer; It was he who chose the desert plateau in New Mexico, where it was decided to develop new nuclear weapons. It is known that Oppenheimer personally staffed the scientific team - he traveled thousands of kilometers, personally meeting with the luminaries of science, physicists, whom it was decided to recruit for the first project, for which, in fact, the laboratory was created - the so-called Manhattan Project. This project was strictly secret; all scientists involved in the development of new weapons of mass destruction were under quite strong pressure of secrecy and surveillance. Be that as it may, by 1945, the US military department managed to obtain atomic weapons; its action was based on the use of two types of fissile material - either the uranium-235 isotope (uranium bomb) or the plutonium-239 isotope (plutonium bomb).
After the war, Oppenheimer left the Los Alamos Laboratory and was replaced by Norris Bradbury.
Over time, this place turned into the largest scientific institute in the country (as well as in the world), equipped with all technical devices - from a gas laser to an accelerator and powerful computers. The laboratory continues to provide work for thousands of specialists - physicists, engineers, chemists, programmers, and administrators.
And the first workers still remember how, in the early 40s of the last century, wooden buildings were hastily erected among the rocks. The main thing holiest place The entire laboratory at Los Alamos had a scientific department - the center of “pure reason”.
After graduation Cold War The Los Alamos laboratory, like many similar enterprises in the industry, adapted to new, peaceful conditions, turning towards more humane research. Great emphasis was placed on the search, development and research of energy sources, as well as medical scientific research.
Recently, the Las Alamos laboratory has often been mentioned somewhat negatively in the press - for example, in 1999, public attention was focused on the espionage scandal surrounding scientist Wen Ho "" Lee. In 2000, a scandal broke out again over a data leak with classified information, and in 2004, after an inventory, the laboratory was missing 4 hard drives, also with classified information. However, two of them were soon found; As a result, director Peter Nanos was forced to resign.
Since the summer of 2006, the laboratory at Los Alamos, long (60 years) associated with a contract with the University of California (University of California), came under the jurisdiction of Los Alamos National Security, LLC.
Today, Michael R. Anastasio is the laboratory's ninth director since its founding. The Los Alamos Laboratory is one of the largest scientific and technological institutions in the world, with research priorities today in areas such as national security, outer space, energy sources, medicine, nanotechnology, and supercomputing.







The sun is the source of life on the planet. Its rays provide the necessary light and warmth. At the same time, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is destructive to all living things. To find a compromise between the beneficial and harmful properties of the Sun, meteorologists calculate the ultraviolet radiation index, which characterizes the degree of its danger.

What kind of UV radiation from the sun is there?

The sun's ultraviolet radiation has a wide range and is divided into three regions, two of which reach the Earth.

  • UVA Long-wave radiation range

    315–400 nm

    The rays pass almost freely through all atmospheric “barriers” and reach the Earth.

  • UV-B. Medium wave range radiation

    280–315 nm

    The rays are 90% absorbed by the ozone layer, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

  • UV-C. Shortwave range radiation

    100–280 nm

    The most dangerous area. They are completely absorbed by stratospheric ozone without reaching the Earth.

The more ozone, clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere, the less the harmful effects of the Sun. However, these life-saving factors have a high natural variability. The annual maximum of stratospheric ozone occurs in spring, and the minimum in autumn. Cloudiness is one of the most variable characteristics of weather. The carbon dioxide content also changes all the time.

At what UV index values ​​is there a danger?

The UV index provides an estimate of the amount of UV radiation from the Sun at the Earth's surface. UV index values ​​range from a safe 0 to an extreme 11+.

  • 0–2 Low
  • 3–5 Moderate
  • 6–7 High
  • 8–10 Very high
  • 11+ Extreme

In mid-latitudes, the UV index approaches unsafe values ​​(6–7) only at the maximum height of the Sun above the horizon (occurs in late June - early July). At the equator, the UV index reaches 9...11+ points throughout the year.

What are the benefits of the sun?

In small doses, UV radiation from the Sun is simply necessary. The sun's rays synthesize melanin, serotonin, and vitamin D, which are necessary for our health, and prevent rickets.

Melanin creates a kind of protective barrier for skin cells from the harmful effects of the Sun. Because of it, our skin darkens and becomes more elastic.

The hormone of happiness serotonin affects our well-being: it improves mood and increases overall vitality.

Vitamin D strengthens the immune system, stabilizes blood pressure and performs anti-rickets functions.

Why is the sun dangerous?

When sunbathing, it is important to understand that the line between the beneficial and harmful Sun is very thin. Excessive tanning always borders on a burn. Ultraviolet radiation damages DNA in skin cells.

The body's defense system cannot cope with such aggressive influence. It lowers immunity, damages the retina, causes skin aging and can lead to cancer.

Ultraviolet light destroys the DNA chain

How the Sun affects people

Sensitivity to UV radiation depends on skin type. People of the European race are most sensitive to the Sun - for them, protection is required already at index 3, and 6 is considered dangerous.

At the same time, for Indonesians and African Americans this threshold is 6 and 8, respectively.

Who is most influenced by the Sun?

    People with fair hair

    skin tone

    People with many moles

    Residents of mid-latitudes during a holiday in the south

    Winter lovers

    fishing

    Skiers and climbers

    People with a family history of skin cancer

In what weather is the sun more dangerous?

It is a common misconception that the sun is dangerous only in hot and clear weather. You can also get sunburned in cool, cloudy weather.

Cloudiness, no matter how dense it may be, does not reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation to zero. In mid-latitudes, cloudiness significantly reduces the risk of getting sunburned, which cannot be said about traditional places beach holiday. For example, in the tropics, if in sunny weather you can get sunburned in 30 minutes, then in cloudy weather - in a couple of hours.

How to protect yourself from the sun

To protect yourself from harmful rays, follow simple rules:

    Spend less time in the sun during midday hours

    Wear light-colored clothing, including wide-brimmed hats

    Use protective creams

    Wear sunglasses

    Stay in the shade more on the beach

Which sunscreen to choose

Sunscreens vary in degree of sun protection and are labeled from 2 to 50+. The numbers indicate the proportion of solar radiation that overcomes the protection of the cream and reaches the skin.

For example, when applying a cream labeled 15, only 1/15 (or 7 %) of the ultraviolet rays will penetrate the protective film. In the case of cream 50, only 1/50, or 2 %, affects the skin.

Sunscreen creates a reflective layer on the body. However, it is important to understand that no cream can reflect 100% of ultraviolet radiation.

For everyday use, when the time spent under the Sun does not exceed half an hour, a cream with protection 15 is quite suitable. For tanning on the beach, it is better to take 30 or higher. However, for fair-skinned people it is recommended to use a cream labeled 50+.

How to Apply Sunscreen

The cream should be applied evenly to all exposed skin, including the face, ears and neck. If you plan to sunbathe for a long time, then the cream should be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out and, additionally, before going to the beach.

Please check the cream instructions for the required volume for application.

How to Apply Sunscreen When Swimming

Sunscreen should be applied every time after swimming. Water washes away the protective film and, by reflecting the sun's rays, increases the dose of ultraviolet radiation received. Thus, when swimming, the risk of sunburn increases. However, due to the cooling effect, you may not feel the burn.

Excessive sweating and wiping with a towel are also reasons to re-protect the skin.

It should be remembered that on the beach, even under an umbrella, the shade does not provide complete protection. Sand, water and even grass reflect up to 20% of ultraviolet rays, increasing their impact on the skin.

How to protect your eyes

Sunlight reflected from water, snow or sand can cause painful burns to the retina. To protect your eyes, wear sunglasses with a UV filter.

Danger for skiers and climbers

In the mountains, the atmospheric “filter” is thinner. For every 100 meters of height, the UV index increases by 5 %.

Snow reflects up to 85 % of ultraviolet rays. In addition, up to 80 % of the ultraviolet reflected by the snow cover is reflected again by clouds.

Thus, in the mountains the Sun is most dangerous. It is necessary to protect your face, lower chin and ears even in cloudy weather.

How to deal with sunburn if you get sunburned

    Use a damp sponge to moisten the burn.

    Apply anti-burn cream to the burned areas

    If your temperature rises, consult your doctor; you may be advised to take an antipyretic

    If the burn is severe (the skin swells and blisters greatly), seek medical attention

Los Alamos (Spanish Los Álamos - “poplars”) - locality and a county in New Mexico. The settlement does not have the status of a city or town, but according to the census it is a statistically separate territory (English Census Designated Places, CDP). Los Alamos includes Los Alamos itself, or "the hill", as well as the statistically separate area of ​​White Rock. Both parts are included in one settlement, but are statistically (according to qualifications) separated. In Los Alamos in 1942, the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was created for work on the Manhattan Project. The district and locality have general institutions management. The district council consists of seven members elected for four years. Every two years, four or three council members are re-elected by the population. The council elects a chairman and his deputy.

Geography

Los Alamos is located approximately 56 km northwest of the state capital of Santa Fe. The capital Los Alamos is connected by a modern highway. The altitude above sea level is 2231 meters. Area 28.1 km². There is a small Ashley pond in the central part of the city.

Demography

According to census statistics for 2000, there were 11,909 people, 5,110 households and 3,372 families in the settlement. The population density is 423.4 people per 1 km² (1096.2 per square mile). Racial Composition: 89.13% White, 0.44% African American, 0.56% Historical American, 4.47% Asian, 0.04% Asian Pacific Islands, 3.01% other races, and 2.35% dual or more races. Hispanics of all races make up 12.21%. Los Alamos has the best educational attainment rate in the state. 68.6% of the population over 25 years of age has the first degree higher education(English associate degree), and 62.1% - second degree (English baccalaureate degree) or higher. In 31.4% of households there were children under 18 years of age, and in 56.4% there were married couples living together. 6.5% were occupied by unmarried women, and 34% by non-family owners. The average household population is 2.31, the average family size is 2.89 people. Age pyramid of the settlement: under 18 years old - 24.8% from 18 to 24 - 4.8% from 25 to 44 - 29.2% from 45 to 64 - 28.2% over 65 - 12.9% Average age of the population 40 years. For every 100 women of all ages there were 101.3 men, and for every 100 women over 18 years of age there were 100.1 men over 18 years of age. The average annual income for a single household was $71,536, and the average income for a single family was $86,876. Men had an average income of $65,638 and women had an average income of $39,352. Per capita income was $34,240. Approximately 2.4% of families and 3.6% of the population lived below the poverty level. 2.6% of people under 18 and 5.3% over 65 lived below the poverty level. The average housing occupancy rate was 71.5%. During the Manhattan Project, the settlement was closed; the first house was sold for private ownership by the US government in 1965 to William Overton.

 

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