Image from 100 SUNS by Michael Light, ©2003

GRABLE, 15 Kilotons, Nevada 1953 - Drawn from the book and exhibition 100 SUNS by Michael Light, Alfred A. Knopf, ©2003 (used with the artist's permission). The image depicts atomic test "Grable,"--a 15 kiloton Mark-9 nuclear artillery shell, fired five miles from the target by an 85 ton cannon. The test occurred at the Nevada test site, 25 May 1953. Smoke trails to the left are from rockets carrying photographic devices used to measure the shock waves created by the blast. About 2,000 troops were in trenches 2.84 miles from ground zero; after the explosion, they engaged in maneuvers under the cloud of radioactive debris.