Geoff Brumfiel
@gbrumfiel.bsky.social
I'm an editor/correspondent for NPR. Mostly smart on the radio. Mostly stupid on everywhere else.
ChatGPT describes me as: "Aerospace Sleuth, Nuclear Nerd, and NPR Superfan — with a Side of Surreal Humor."
Signal: https://signal.me/#eu/PoRoBSPUsb1fVLiml
ChatGPT describes me as: "Aerospace Sleuth, Nuclear Nerd, and NPR Superfan — with a Side of Surreal Humor."
Signal: https://signal.me/#eu/PoRoBSPUsb1fVLiml
This also appears to be true of the National Archive original.
So who flipped these photos and why? If you've got any ideas let me know!
So who flipped these photos and why? If you've got any ideas let me know!
November 13, 2025 at 8:05 PM
This also appears to be true of the National Archive original.
So who flipped these photos and why? If you've got any ideas let me know!
So who flipped these photos and why? If you've got any ideas let me know!
The photo was flipped! That's why the shadow is going the wrong way. In fact, on google earth you can line up (roughly) the exact shot... but only if you invert the same photo.
November 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The photo was flipped! That's why the shadow is going the wrong way. In fact, on google earth you can line up (roughly) the exact shot... but only if you invert the same photo.
The shot took place just a few minutes after sunrise, which explains why the shadows are so long (as can be seen using suncalc.org). BUT ALSO.... notice anything weird?
Well, I did because it screwed up my geolocation....
Well, I did because it screwed up my geolocation....
November 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The shot took place just a few minutes after sunrise, which explains why the shadows are so long (as can be seen using suncalc.org). BUT ALSO.... notice anything weird?
Well, I did because it screwed up my geolocation....
Well, I did because it screwed up my geolocation....
Buster-Jangle CHARLIE took place on October 1, 1951. It was a 14 KT airburst at 1,132 feet over Area 7 of Yucca Flats.
It was to test both weapons effects and, bizarrely, whether nukes could be used to clear minefields...
apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/A...
www.dtra.mil/Portals/125/...
It was to test both weapons effects and, bizarrely, whether nukes could be used to clear minefields...
apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/A...
www.dtra.mil/Portals/125/...
November 13, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Buster-Jangle CHARLIE took place on October 1, 1951. It was a 14 KT airburst at 1,132 feet over Area 7 of Yucca Flats.
It was to test both weapons effects and, bizarrely, whether nukes could be used to clear minefields...
apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/A...
www.dtra.mil/Portals/125/...
It was to test both weapons effects and, bizarrely, whether nukes could be used to clear minefields...
apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/A...
www.dtra.mil/Portals/125/...
Okay, so just to REALLY put a pin in this mystery about the mislabeled nuclear test pic, @andrewfacini.com has now found the original photo in the National Archive... and it's the Charlie shot from Operation Buster-Jangle.
catalog.archives.gov/id/146765028
BUT there is one last mystery...
catalog.archives.gov/id/146765028
BUT there is one last mystery...
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Okay, so just to REALLY put a pin in this mystery about the mislabeled nuclear test pic, @andrewfacini.com has now found the original photo in the National Archive... and it's the Charlie shot from Operation Buster-Jangle.
catalog.archives.gov/id/146765028
BUT there is one last mystery...
catalog.archives.gov/id/146765028
BUT there is one last mystery...
There's are some never before seen photos from my ONE TRIP to a MAF ten years ago. I went into the LCC at Foxtrot-01 near Dix, Nebr. It was hilariously Mario-themed.
November 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
There's are some never before seen photos from my ONE TRIP to a MAF ten years ago. I went into the LCC at Foxtrot-01 near Dix, Nebr. It was hilariously Mario-themed.
Happy Missileer Day to all who celebrate!
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Happy Missileer Day to all who celebrate!
Yeah ok, I'm ready to call this. This looks to me like it either shot Charlie or Dog from the Buster-Jangle series in late October/November of 1951.
Kudos to @itsperfectlysafe.bsky.social and @jungster37.bsky.social (and let me know if you agree or not guys.
And we shall see what the AP says!
Kudos to @itsperfectlysafe.bsky.social and @jungster37.bsky.social (and let me know if you agree or not guys.
And we shall see what the AP says!
November 12, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Yeah ok, I'm ready to call this. This looks to me like it either shot Charlie or Dog from the Buster-Jangle series in late October/November of 1951.
Kudos to @itsperfectlysafe.bsky.social and @jungster37.bsky.social (and let me know if you agree or not guys.
And we shall see what the AP says!
Kudos to @itsperfectlysafe.bsky.social and @jungster37.bsky.social (and let me know if you agree or not guys.
And we shall see what the AP says!
OK, so super-weird, but I think it might be a FLIPPED image of the Buster-Jangle Dog shot. The shadows and features in the foreground line up pretty darn well.
But maybe Buster-Jangle Charlie. It was almost the same location, same time just a few days apart and 30 min earlier earlier (7AM local).
But maybe Buster-Jangle Charlie. It was almost the same location, same time just a few days apart and 30 min earlier earlier (7AM local).
November 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
OK, so super-weird, but I think it might be a FLIPPED image of the Buster-Jangle Dog shot. The shadows and features in the foreground line up pretty darn well.
But maybe Buster-Jangle Charlie. It was almost the same location, same time just a few days apart and 30 min earlier earlier (7AM local).
But maybe Buster-Jangle Charlie. It was almost the same location, same time just a few days apart and 30 min earlier earlier (7AM local).
I think the closest match would be WASP or WASP prime. But the shadows look completely wrong to me. Assuming the camera is facing north (as I think it was), this was an evening shot (and Wasp and Wasp Prime were midday-ish).
November 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I think the closest match would be WASP or WASP prime. But the shadows look completely wrong to me. Assuming the camera is facing north (as I think it was), this was an evening shot (and Wasp and Wasp Prime were midday-ish).
There were only two other daytime shots. WASP and MTE. But MTE took place on Frenchman Flat, and I'm pretty sure based on some rather rough geolocation, this is a picture of Yucca Flat.
Rough coordinates: 37° 7'7.62"N 116° 7'38.95"W
Rough coordinates: 37° 7'7.62"N 116° 7'38.95"W
November 12, 2025 at 9:32 PM
There were only two other daytime shots. WASP and MTE. But MTE took place on Frenchman Flat, and I'm pretty sure based on some rather rough geolocation, this is a picture of Yucca Flat.
Rough coordinates: 37° 7'7.62"N 116° 7'38.95"W
Rough coordinates: 37° 7'7.62"N 116° 7'38.95"W
The ESS shot took place on March 23 and was a 1kt detonation at a depth of 67 feet designed to simulate an atomic munition. The detonation took place around noon.
Initial photos and videos of the shot look quite different than what would produce a mushroom cloud like what's in the AP Photo.
Initial photos and videos of the shot look quite different than what would produce a mushroom cloud like what's in the AP Photo.
November 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The ESS shot took place on March 23 and was a 1kt detonation at a depth of 67 feet designed to simulate an atomic munition. The detonation took place around noon.
Initial photos and videos of the shot look quite different than what would produce a mushroom cloud like what's in the AP Photo.
Initial photos and videos of the shot look quite different than what would produce a mushroom cloud like what's in the AP Photo.
Guys! I've got a little nuclear mystery for you!
I've had complaints about the AP caption of this image, which says its "a sub-surface atomic test" from March 23, 1955.
That would make it a photo of the Operation Teapot ESS (Effects Subsurface) test.
I think it might be labelled wrong...
I've had complaints about the AP caption of this image, which says its "a sub-surface atomic test" from March 23, 1955.
That would make it a photo of the Operation Teapot ESS (Effects Subsurface) test.
I think it might be labelled wrong...
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Guys! I've got a little nuclear mystery for you!
I've had complaints about the AP caption of this image, which says its "a sub-surface atomic test" from March 23, 1955.
That would make it a photo of the Operation Teapot ESS (Effects Subsurface) test.
I think it might be labelled wrong...
I've had complaints about the AP caption of this image, which says its "a sub-surface atomic test" from March 23, 1955.
That would make it a photo of the Operation Teapot ESS (Effects Subsurface) test.
I think it might be labelled wrong...
It was all on display last week when Tucker Carlson interviewed White nationalist Nick Fuentes. Carlson disavowed Fuentes's most antisemitic statements, but he agreed with him on Israel.
"Our relationship with Israel [is] insane and it hurts us... I completely agree with you there," Carlson said.
"Our relationship with Israel [is] insane and it hurts us... I completely agree with you there," Carlson said.
November 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
It was all on display last week when Tucker Carlson interviewed White nationalist Nick Fuentes. Carlson disavowed Fuentes's most antisemitic statements, but he agreed with him on Israel.
"Our relationship with Israel [is] insane and it hurts us... I completely agree with you there," Carlson said.
"Our relationship with Israel [is] insane and it hurts us... I completely agree with you there," Carlson said.
And polling from @stelhami.bsky.social shows only 24% of young Republicans under 34 sympathize with Israel over the Palestinians.
There is a massive gap that's opened between them and older Republicans. (Telhami's polling shows something similar for evangelicals).
There is a massive gap that's opened between them and older Republicans. (Telhami's polling shows something similar for evangelicals).
November 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
And polling from @stelhami.bsky.social shows only 24% of young Republicans under 34 sympathize with Israel over the Palestinians.
There is a massive gap that's opened between them and older Republicans. (Telhami's polling shows something similar for evangelicals).
There is a massive gap that's opened between them and older Republicans. (Telhami's polling shows something similar for evangelicals).
But over the past few years, something has started to happen. There is a massive shift away from support of Israel among young conservatives and evangelicals.
A Pew pole this spring found negative views of Israel have shot up 15 points among conservatives under 50.
A Pew pole this spring found negative views of Israel have shot up 15 points among conservatives under 50.
November 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
But over the past few years, something has started to happen. There is a massive shift away from support of Israel among young conservatives and evangelicals.
A Pew pole this spring found negative views of Israel have shot up 15 points among conservatives under 50.
A Pew pole this spring found negative views of Israel have shot up 15 points among conservatives under 50.
After 9/11, their influence grew even larger. Groups like Christians United For Israel (CUFI) claimed tens of millions of members.
Their support is rooted in faith, says @jacksonlahmeyer.bsky.social. Evangelicals in particular believe God's covenant with the Jewish people is sacred.
Their support is rooted in faith, says @jacksonlahmeyer.bsky.social. Evangelicals in particular believe God's covenant with the Jewish people is sacred.
November 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
After 9/11, their influence grew even larger. Groups like Christians United For Israel (CUFI) claimed tens of millions of members.
Their support is rooted in faith, says @jacksonlahmeyer.bsky.social. Evangelicals in particular believe God's covenant with the Jewish people is sacred.
Their support is rooted in faith, says @jacksonlahmeyer.bsky.social. Evangelicals in particular believe God's covenant with the Jewish people is sacred.
When it comes to U.S. support for Israel, often the conversation revolves around the Jewish community and their feelings about the nation. But in fact, Christians are by far the larger and more consequential group.
Particularly evangelicals like Billy Graham have been huge backers.
Particularly evangelicals like Billy Graham have been huge backers.
November 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM
When it comes to U.S. support for Israel, often the conversation revolves around the Jewish community and their feelings about the nation. But in fact, Christians are by far the larger and more consequential group.
Particularly evangelicals like Billy Graham have been huge backers.
Particularly evangelicals like Billy Graham have been huge backers.
BREAKING: Months after showing him the door, Donald Trump has renominated Jared Isaacman as administrator of NASA.
November 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
BREAKING: Months after showing him the door, Donald Trump has renominated Jared Isaacman as administrator of NASA.
Just get this printed on a T-Shirt?
October 30, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Just get this printed on a T-Shirt?
NEW: President Trump says he has instructed the DOD to begin testing nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” with Russia and China.
It’s unclear what this means since Russia and China are not currently conducting nuclear tests and the DOD does not conduct testing for the US (it’s the DOE that does).
It’s unclear what this means since Russia and China are not currently conducting nuclear tests and the DOD does not conduct testing for the US (it’s the DOE that does).
October 30, 2025 at 1:17 AM
NEW: President Trump says he has instructed the DOD to begin testing nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” with Russia and China.
It’s unclear what this means since Russia and China are not currently conducting nuclear tests and the DOD does not conduct testing for the US (it’s the DOE that does).
It’s unclear what this means since Russia and China are not currently conducting nuclear tests and the DOD does not conduct testing for the US (it’s the DOE that does).
Before and after images from Planet Labs of the White House east wing.
October 24, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Before and after images from Planet Labs of the White House east wing.
TURN YOUR KEY SIR!
October 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
TURN YOUR KEY SIR!
Except that I want to know what you thought dear reader! Please reply below if you made it this far!
October 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Except that I want to know what you thought dear reader! Please reply below if you made it this far!
OK, I am going to stop now! I've rambled on enough, I think you get the point. And its not the ONLY thing I found wrong with the movie.
But I felt like it just came off as another thriller, and by trying to stay contained, it missed most interesting thing about nukes.
THAT IS ALL!
But I felt like it just came off as another thriller, and by trying to stay contained, it missed most interesting thing about nukes.
THAT IS ALL!
October 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM
OK, I am going to stop now! I've rambled on enough, I think you get the point. And its not the ONLY thing I found wrong with the movie.
But I felt like it just came off as another thriller, and by trying to stay contained, it missed most interesting thing about nukes.
THAT IS ALL!
But I felt like it just came off as another thriller, and by trying to stay contained, it missed most interesting thing about nukes.
THAT IS ALL!