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Čerenkov radiation: Difference between revisions
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'''Čerenkov radiation''' (also spelled '''Cerenkov''' or '''Cherenkov''') is electromagnetic radiation emitted when a charged particle (such as a proton) passes through an insulator at a speed greater than the speed of light in that medium. The characteristic "blue glow" of nuclear reactors is due to Čerenkov radiation. It is named after Russian scientist [[wikipedia:Pavel Alekseyevich Čherenkov|Pavel Alekseyevich Čherenkov]], the 1958 Nobel Prize winner who was the first to characterize it rigorously.<ref>[[Wikipedia:Čerenkov radiation|Čerenkov radiation at Wikipedia]]</ref> Čerenkov radiation only occurs in a medium such as air or water because the speed of light in the medium is slowed. Contrary to popular belief, this phenomena could occur in space, due to there being an extremely low density of particles, along with the container of the fissile material itself. | '''Čerenkov radiation''' (also spelled '''Cerenkov''' or '''Cherenkov''') is electromagnetic radiation emitted when a charged particle (such as a proton) passes through an insulator at a speed greater than the speed of light in that medium. The characteristic "blue glow" of nuclear reactors is due to Čerenkov radiation. It is named after Russian scientist [[wikipedia:Pavel Alekseyevich Čherenkov|Pavel Alekseyevich Čherenkov]], the 1958 Nobel Prize winner who was the first to characterize it rigorously.<ref>[[Wikipedia:Čerenkov radiation|Čerenkov radiation at Wikipedia]]</ref> Čerenkov radiation only occurs in a medium such as air or water because the speed of light in the medium is slowed. Contrary to popular belief, this phenomena could occur in space, due to there being an extremely low density of particles, along with the container of the fissile material itself. | ||
When a starship transitions from [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] to normal space, or vice versa, the glow of Čerenkov radiation emitted by fissile materials, such as [[plutonium]], can give its presence away to enemy forces even if the ship possesses stealth systems. As a result, if complete stealth is required, [[UNSC prowler|prowlers]] are forced to jettison any on-board [[nuclear weapon]]s before transitioning back to normal space to avoid detection.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 187''</ref> In addition, nukes launched from slipspace can easily be detected by enemy sensors, despite the use of [[Stealth ablative coating|stealth coatings]] or [[lead]] linings.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 15''</ref> | |||
Components of the [[MJOLNIR armor]], likely its [[Nuclear fusion|microfusion plant]], produce Čerenkov radiation. The design of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI/R variant|Recon]] and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI/S variant|Scout]] variants specifically reduces the amount of radiation emitted for stealth purposes.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''pages 152, 165''</ref> | Components of the [[MJOLNIR armor]], likely its [[Nuclear fusion|microfusion plant]], produce Čerenkov radiation. The design of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI/R variant|Recon]] and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI/S variant|Scout]] variants specifically reduces the amount of radiation emitted for stealth purposes.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''pages 152, 165''</ref> | ||