In January 1946, a U.S. nuclear weapon mission dubbed Operation Crossroads began testing atomic bombs on the remote lagoon of Bikini Atoll. Automatic cameras were mounted in towers on the lagoon and Crossroad pilots flew photo specific planes at a safe distance to capture the detonation stages of two atomic explosions, the Baker Day and Able Day blasts. The photographs in this collection showcase aerial views and stationary ground level shots of both blasts at various stages. Silver prints, the images measuring approximately 7x9 inches (17.8x22.9 cm.), the sheets 8x10 inches (20.3x25.4 cm.), and the reverse, most with a numeric hand stamp, on verso, and most accompanied by a typewritten caption. 1946
