Awesome Nuclear

In 1969, Lockheed developed one of the strangest aircraft ever, the CL-1201. The experiment studied how large an airplane could be. The jet and nuclear-powered plane would deploy up to 24 fighter jets and cruise missiles. Another variant would carry nearly 900 troops. Mustard offers a deep yet speculative look at the top-secret plane. (Thanks, Chad!)

Christopher Nolan wrote and directed this biographical thriller about the man known as the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Cillian Murphy leads a star-studded cast, with Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey, Jr., Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh. Shot in IMAX, it hits theaters on 7.21.23.

Around the globe, there are numerous decommissioned nuclear power plants. In the case of this plant that never opened along the German-Dutch border, it’s now home to an amusement park that includes a vertical swing ride inside of its cooling tower. A scenic mural on its outside helps it blend into its surroundings.

There’s no question that nuclear power can be dangerous – especially when something goes wrong – but it’s still pretty amazing that something so small can generate so much energy. This compilation from Top Fives demonstrates the imposing sound and light show that occurs when starting up a reactor.

It’s a terrifying thought, but in the interest of keeping us educated about the dangers of nuclear weapons, Kurzgesagt is here to teach us just how awful it would be if humans ever were ever to detonate a nuclear weapon in a city. Even worse, we actually did this to people back in WWII.

One of the most eye-catching – and controversial – designs for a lamp we’ve ever seen. Designed by Luca Veneri using fluid dynamic simulation to emulate the shape of a mushroom cloud.

You’ve probably heard of the explosions at the Fukushima power plant in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami. Here’s NHK – by way of CNN – with a summary of the likely cause.

Pay your last respects to this defunct 450 foot-tall nuclear cooling tower located in South Carolina as it finally meets its maker thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.