A GALLERY of NEW MEXICO'S TRINITY SITE and the VERY LARGE ARRAY
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5:29:45 a.m. July 16, 2005 marked the 60th Anniversary of the atom bomb test that launched our worldwide 'Nuclear Age'. New Mexico's Trinity Site is a little over two hours from Albuquerque where I live. The gates to the site are open rarely. Though hot (Yes, it's a DRY HEAT), it was a day not to be missed. Because of the blast (equivalent to 21,000 tons of TNT) , there is little to actually to 'SEE' at the Trinity Site. A monument and plaque stand at 'Ground Zero'. On this day, the area was heavily guarded by all kinds of military folk. I am not sure what a terrorist could do to the site itself but, nevertheless, these are times of Chronic Insecurity, terror, and so on. Ironically, after leaving the 'heavily guarded area', my friend and I ventured forth through all sorts of Not-so-heavily-guarded areas and pictures follow below. For me, there was a feeling at the Trinity Site similar in some ways to the day that I visited Dachau in Germany. A sad emptiness...A cavernous sense of desolation. Small children smiled meekly at cameras held by their parents around the monument honoring the Atomic Chaos of sixty years ago. Atomic Tourists came from all over to visit the site on this 'anniversary day'. It is a sad and strange place surrounded by vast plains and mountains circling around. Spanish explorers dubbed the area Muerto Chupadera for its fairly deadly stretch of heat, sand, and nothingness. It lies empty to this day. ****************** This day also marked an OPEN HOUSE at the V.L.A. (defined as the 'Very Large Array of Radio Telescopes'...It is the site where a large part of the movie CONTACT was filmed. The V.L.A. is not far from the Trinity Site. This Gallery includes digital shots of that as well. Take your time as this one long page loads...Scroll on down for a visit to see a collection of Atomic and Spacey pictures. They are not labeled in any fashion... The photographs begin with our arrival at the Gate at the 8 a.m. opening; wandering toward the main 'monument' at Ground Zero; meandering amongst the very large array of military men and women with guns-a-plenty; checking out the remaining hulk that held the bomb on a tower (filming this is a TV crew from Germany for 'Spiegel'); finally finding some other buildings nearby that were totally UN-guarded and a lot more fun to navigate...Then, driving North to Socorro and West to the V.L.A. None of the residents of nearby Socorro were told of the blast beforehand by the way. Quite an early morning flashing surprise for this burg less than fifty miles from Ground Zero. Jeff Hartzer
Brought to you by Aquila Arts LLC All photographs by Jeff Hartzer © 2005 Hey, don't miss Jeff's weblog... FRESHCHAOS.com Check out the Official Sites for: The Trinity Site and The V.L.A.
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July 16,1945
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Homemade 'window sticker' seen in parking area.
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Out of the High Security Zone...
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Camera bunkers |
Inside a bunker |
An 'Atomic Tourist' salutes from the fourth floor. |
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UN-guarded...and dangerous. |
New Mexico's Very Large Array All photographs by Jeff Hartzer © 2005 Don't miss FRESHCHAOS.com Check out the Official Sites for: The Trinity Site and The V.L.A. |
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¡Adios! ¡Hasta la vista!
Brought to you by Aquila Arts LLC All photographs by Jeff Hartzer © 2005 Don't miss FRESHCHAOS.com Check out the Official Sites for: The Trinity Site and The V.L.A.
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