# Nuclear Shadows (DD-330)

> 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.

- Department: History (also Military)
- First published: 2024-09-24
- Last updated: 2024-09-24
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/nuclear-shadows/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **Aug. 6, 1945**: Atomic bombing of Hiroshima
- **Aug. 9, 1945**: Atomic bombing of Nagasaki

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=nuclear-shadows

## Quick facts

- **DD-330-F01**: Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Hiroshima))_
- **DD-330-F02**: Nagasaki was bombed on August 9, 1945. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Nagasaki))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Hiroshima**: Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945.
2. **Nagasaki**: Nagasaki was bombed on August 9, 1945.
3. **Flash**: Thermal radiation bleached surfaces.
4. **Shadows**: Blocked areas left outlines.
5. **Preserved**: Some shadows are preserved.

## Related case files

- [Nuclear Fireball (DD-052)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/nuclear-fireball/): I linked more nuclear history

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel says everything exposed was vaporized; the shadows mostly formed because exposed surfaces were bleached or scorched while blocked areas were not.

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

- Duration: 26.6 s · Published: 2024-09-24
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DASTa-vOouN.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: When was Hiroshima bombed?**  
A: First atomic bombing. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Hiroshima) · Wikipedia: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki)_

**Q: When was Nagasaki bombed?**  
A: Three days later. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Nagasaki) · Wikipedia: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki)_

**Q: What made the shadows?**  
A: Radiation and heat. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flash) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions)_

**Q: Why are shadow areas darker?**  
A: Exposed areas bleached. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Shadows) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions)_

**Q: Are any preserved?**  
A: On steps and walls. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Preserved) · Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki)
- [Wikipedia: Effects of nuclear explosions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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/