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Nuclear Shadows

Short answer: When the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, the intense flash of thermal radiation bleached and scorched exposed surfaces. Where a person or object blocked the flash, the surface behind stayed darker, leaving a shadow-like outline.

Some of these shadows, on steps, walls and pavements, are preserved; the best known is on the steps of a Hiroshima bank. The footage shows such shadows and a re-enactment of how they form.

VideoWrite-up2 sources

In collections:The Nuclear Age

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What should you know about Nuclear Shadows?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945.

    DD-330-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Hiroshima)

  2. Nagasaki was bombed on August 9, 1945.

    DD-330-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Nagasaki)

Video transcript: Nuclear Shadows: The Atomic Bombings of August 1945 Left Shadows Burned Onto Surfaces

Radiation shadows, also known as nuclear shadows, occur during a nuclear explosion when an object or person blocks the intense radiation and heat emitted from the blast. Everything exposed to this heat is vaporized or scorched but the blocked areas remain relatively unaffected, creating a shadow-like imprint on surfaces. These eerie outlines were notably observed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the atomic bombings, where people and objects left their marks on walls and pavements, immortalizing the moment of the explosion. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 26.6s Reel ·

Video coming soonNuclear Shadows · Instagram Reel
Nuclear Shadows: The Atomic Bombings of August 1945 Left Shadows Burned Onto Surfaces Instagram Reel · · 26.6s

The write-up

The atomic bombings of August 1945 left shadows burned onto surfaces. Blocked areas stayed darker while exposed surfaces were bleached.

  1. Exhibit A

    Hiroshima

    Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945.

  2. Exhibit B

    Nagasaki

    Nagasaki was bombed on August 9, 1945.

  3. Exhibit C

    Flash

    Thermal radiation bleached surfaces.

  4. Exhibit D

    Shadows

    Blocked areas left outlines.

  5. Exhibit E

    Preserved

    Some shadows are preserved.

Questions people ask about Nuclear Shadows

When was Hiroshima bombed?

First atomic bombing.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Hiroshima) · Wikipedia: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

When was Nagasaki bombed?

Three days later.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Nagasaki) · Wikipedia: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

What made the shadows?

Radiation and heat.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flash) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions

Why are shadow areas darker?

Exposed areas bleached.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Shadows) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions

Are any preserved?

On steps and walls.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Preserved) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. When was Hiroshima bombed?

    1. August 6, 1945
    2. December 7, 1941
    3. June 6, 1944
    4. May 8, 1945
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. August 6, 1945 First atomic bombing. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Hiroshima) · Wikipedia: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

  2. When was Nagasaki bombed?

    1. August 9, 1945
    2. August 15, 1945
    3. July 16, 1945
    4. September 2, 1945
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. August 9, 1945 Three days later. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Nagasaki) · Wikipedia: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

  3. What made the shadows?

    1. The thermal flash
    2. Paint
    3. Fire smoke
    4. Rain
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The thermal flash Radiation and heat. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flash) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions

  4. Why are shadow areas darker?

    1. They were shielded
    2. They were painted
    3. They are wet
    4. They are holes
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. They were shielded Exposed areas bleached. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Shadows) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions

  5. Are any preserved?

    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. Only photos
    4. Only in Nagasaki
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Yes On steps and walls. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Preserved) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Nuclear Shadows." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-330, last updated Sep 24, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/nuclear-shadows/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/nuclear-shadows/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-330-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/nuclear-shadows/#DD-330-F01

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