The Michigan Daily-Friday, August 6, 1
First A-bomb remembered
HIROSHIMA, Japan (UPI)- Hiroshima
Thousands of Japanese marched, remarks
prayed and sang yesterday on the eve today's ce
of the 37th anniversary of the world's "HIROS
first atomic bombing in hopes of ness of
guaranteeing that "the error shall not everlastin
be repeated." mankind.
The anti-nuclear demonstrators con- ten, it is
verged for a memorial ceremony today repeated
marking the anniversary of the day to an end,'
when the bomb nicknamed "Little But the
Boy" was dropped from an American skeleton
plane and exploded about 500 yards what was
above Hiroshima as families finished Promotion
their breakfast. to preser
"The devastation of Hiroshima on A nearby
that day was an omen of the advance of peace-th
dark clouds threatening the prospects repeated.
for the survival of the human race," ABOUT
Ann Arbor
recalls
a Mayor Takeshi Araki said in
prepared for delivery at
remony.
HIMA is not merely a wit-
history. Hiroshima is an
g warning for the future of
If Hiroshima is ever forgot-
evident that the evil will be
and human history be brought
" Araki said.
e "Atomic Bomb Dome," a
of criss-crossed steel atop
once the three-story Industry
n Hall, has been left standing
ve the horror of the bombing.
inscription reads: "Rest in
he error shall not be
3,000 Japanese marched
through the streets on the eve of the
ceremony, which was to include a flight
of doves, the tolling of a temple bell and
a silent prayer.
But Paul Tibbets Jrs., pilot of the B-29
Enola Gay that dropped the atom bomb
on Hiroshima, said ,yesterday that
given the same conditions today, he
would not hesitate to do it again.
Tibbets, who says he has not worn a
military hat for 15 years, said in a
telephone interview he still has no
regrets for his role in the atomic bomb
project.
"You've got to remember that the en-
tire population of the United States was
behind World War II and the idea was to
beat the Japs," said Tibbets.
Hiroshima
... after the 1945 blast
HByFANNIE WEINSTEIN
A candlelight procession, a concert by "children of
peace," and the painting of a large mushroom cloud
are among the local events that will highlight this
weekend's remembrance of the 1945 bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
"It's a time of being awake and reflecting on
nuclear war," said Tom Hayes of the Interfaith
Council for Peace, one of the sponsors of several ac-
tivities at Liberty Plaza commemorating the 37th an-
niversary of the bombings.
TONIGHT AT 7:30 p.m., according to Hayes, there
will be a lantern march from Liberty Plaza to Argo
Park, where small paper and wood boats will be set
afloat in the Huron River.
Every year in Hiroshima, Hayes said, people walk
down to the rivers and launch lanterns which contain
the name of a person who was killed in the bombings
or a message of hope.
"It's an old Japanese remembrance that has been
updated for the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,"
he said.
AFTER THE launch, Hayes added, some par-
ticipants will return to Liberty Plaza to observe a 40-
hour vigil.
In addition to tomorrow's children's concert of
cellos and violins, which begins at noon, the Inter-
faith Council has set up a table where people can
learn how to construct paper cranes.
"In Japanese folklore," Hayes explained, "anyone
who makes 1,000 paper cranes will get whatever wish
they want for life."
According to Hayes, a young Japanese girl who
was dying of Leukemia believed to be caused by
atomic radiation made a wish for life, but died before
completing the 1,000 cranes.
See ANN ARBOR, Page 10
bombing of
Hiroshima
'U' nuclear reactor
generates research
By LOU FINTOR
In the lobby of the University's North
Campus Ford Nuclear Reactor hangs a
tapestry depicting a legendary bird -
the phoenix - mythically rising from its
own ashes after consuming itself in
flames.
The tapestry, ironically, is a gift from
Japan's Institute of Atomic Studies, a
country which 38 years ago today suf-
fered thermonuclear devastation un-
paralleled in modern history, then rose
from its own ashes to become a thriving
economic power.
THE TAPESTRY is a reminder of the
combined destructive potential and
peaceful application of the atom. And
recognizing the atom's potential power,
University researchers started raising
funds 30 years ago to builda reactor.
In the fail of 1957, efforts paid off and
the University's Ford Nuclear Reactor
- termed the Phoenix Project - was
activated.
According to nuclear engineering
Prof. William Kerr, the project's direc-
tor, the reactor assists students and
researchers with projects encom-
passing several disciplines, including
engineering, physics, chemistry, and
the health sciences.
"What we get her are students who
will be able to observe," Kerr said.
"Over the years we've trained a num-
ber of people."
KERR SAID the reactor is necessary
for certain experiments exploring the
nature of particles and compounds
because "certain forces and reactions
require high energy."
Of the approximately 40 university-
related nuclear reactors currently in
operation across the country, only three
operate at higher power levels than the
Ford reactor, according to Kerr.
'We operate at two megawatts of heat
power," he said. Although the rector
core contains no moveable parts, power
is generated and mesured through heat
given off by reactions in the core, he
explained.
"IT'S A FAIRLY simple and up to
now well-behaved system," Kerr said.
"We employ-10-12 people who are licen-
sed reactor operators," he added.
Upon entering the reactor room
several bright yellow and red radiation
warning signs confronts visitors. But
staff members maintain an elaborate
system of radiation safety involving
leaded glass, double-doors, film ex-
posure badges for staff, and a strict
policy of escorting all visitors.
"We've had no problems with the per-
formance of the reactor," Kerr ex-
plained. "At present we operate 24
hours a day for ten days, then shut
down for a four-day maintenance
period.'
The reactor core is bathed in a large
pool containing over 55,000 gallons of
water. The water absorbs heat emitted
by the aluminum-clad fuel rods which
are used as a power source.
Looking down into the core an icy-
blue glow - given off as the fuel
element (Uranium 235) reacts during
experiments - is strikingly apparent.
"WE DO generate radioactive
material. Some of it is very short-lived,
but some of it has to be disposed of off-
See NUCLEAR, Page 5
THE DEPTHS OF the 55,000 gallon tank containing the Ford Nuclear Reac-
tor core glow blue as the-unit gives off heat. The University's reactor is one
of the 5 most powerful University-related reactors in the country.