New Mexico: Nuclear Expedition
From Uranium to the Atomic Age
Uranium Mining
Examine the geology of Colorado Plateau uranium systems, including sandstone-hosted mineralization, roll-front geometry, ore controls, and the underground mining methods that supported the Grants uranium district.
The Manhattan Project historic landmarks
Explore the history of WWII through sites tied to the Manhattan Project and Oppenheimer’s role, while tracing the scientific infrastructure of Project Y, wartime research, and the integration of physics, chemistry, metallurgy, and engineering.
Nuclear Fission & the Atomic Age
Connect fundamental fission physics with neutron multiplication, criticality, fissile-material pathways, and the technical challenges that distinguished uranium- and plutonium-based weapon designs.
Nuclear Energy Today
Connect the history to reactors, electricity generation, radiation protection, waste stewardship,climate, mitigation and advanced technologies.
Who Was Oppenheimer And Why Was He Central?
Scientific Leadership
Oppenheimer assembled an interdisciplinary scientific community at Los Alamos and coordinated research across theoretical and experimental physics, chemistry, metallurgy, ordnance, and engineering.
Technical Challenges
Follow the scientific problems that drove Project Y: neutron physics, criticality, fissile materials, diagnostics, explosive-lens development, and the transition from theoretical concepts to engineered devices.
Why Los Alamos?
Examine why the isolated Pajarito Plateau was selected for Project Y, from security and controlled access to available land, infrastructure, and Oppenheimer's familiarity with northern New Mexico.
Ethical Legacy
Explore Oppenheimer's postwar role in debates over nuclear weapons, arms development, scientific responsibility, national security, and the changing relationship between science and government.
Scientific leadership, site selection, interdisciplinary research, and the legacy of the Manhattan Project.
Sign up - Interest Form
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