National Atomic Testing Museum facts for kids
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| Established | March 2005 |
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| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Type | History museum |
The National Atomic Testing Museum is in Las Vegas, Nevada. It tells the story of nuclear testing that happened at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). This test site is in the Mojave Desert, about 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Las Vegas. The museum is connected to the famous Smithsonian Institution.
About the Museum
The museum first opened its doors in March 2005. It was called the "Atomic Testing Museum" back then. A group called the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation runs it. This group is a non-profit organization, meaning it doesn't make money for its owners.
You can find the museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, at 755 E. Flamingo Rd. It is close to the Harry Reid International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip. Money to help the museum came from different places. One way was from special Nevada Test Site license plates that people could buy.
On December 31, 2011, something big happened. President Barack Obama signed a bill that made the museum a national museum. This meant it became officially linked with the Smithsonian Institution. The National Atomic Testing Museum is now one of 37 national museums in the United States.
What You Can See Inside
The museum shows the history of atomic testing from January 27, 1951, until today. One exciting part is the "Ground Zero Theater." It lets you feel what it might have been like to see an atomic test in the atmosphere.
Other cool things to see include Geiger counters. These are tools that measure radiation. You can also see radio badges and other devices used to test for radiation. The museum has Native American items found near the test area. There are also fun pop culture items from the "atomic age." These show how people thought about atomic power back then.
You can also find equipment used for testing the atomic devices. Displays tell about important people who worked at the test site. There are videos and hands-on exhibits about radiation. The museum even has a piece of the Berlin Wall. It also displays two pieces from the original World Trade Center.
In 2012, the museum added a special exhibit about Area 51. They made this exhibit even bigger two years later.
Monitoring the Weather
Outside the museum, there is a weather station. This station collects weather information for downtown Las Vegas. It records things like temperature and wind speed. It also measures background gamma radiation. This is a very small amount of natural radiation in the air.
The weather station is part of a bigger network. This network is called the Community Environmental Monitoring Network (CEMP).
See Also
- How to Photograph an Atomic Bomb
- American Museum of Science and Energy
- Bradbury Science Museum
- National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
