[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by biker1

Not exactly. Edward Teller, who along with Ulam developed the strategy for the fusion bomb, suggested that the fission reaction of the Trinity test device might cause sufficient heat for a self sustaining fusion reaction of hydrogen (in the atmosphere) atoms to helium and extinguish life on earth. Fusion reactions do not generate long lived radioactive byproducts so radiation was not the concern. Burning up the atmosphere was the concern. Oppenheimer, the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, was sufficiently concerned that he directed Teller, and someone else I can't remember, to investigate whether this could really happen. Based on energy budget considerations, they determined that a world wide fusion reaction could not happen so the Trinity test proceeded. Teller, who was really more interested in a fusion device (aka the "Super") than the fission devices the Manhattan Project was working on, was in the unique position to suggest the possibility and also to do the analysis to prove it wasn't a possibility. I had the good fortune to see Teller speak some time ago.

Thank you for that DEEPLY knowledgeable information on an interesting chapter of science. I was only aware of a vague general outline of the situation. That is the BEAUTY of a forum!