NOVA bomb: Difference between revisions

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==Background==

The NOVA bomb is a cluster of nine nuclear fusion warheads encased in a [[Wikipedia:lithium|lithium]] triteride case. When the warheads are activated, the lithium triteride shell focuses the blast in upon itself, multiplying the destructive power by a hundred times. This gives the NOVA bomb an unprecedented payload for its size; the bombs are considered "planet killers" due to their destructive potential.~~<ref name="~~fs180~~"/>~~

The NOVA bomb is a cluster of nine nuclear fusion warheads encased in a [[Wikipedia:lithium|lithium]] triteride case. When the warheads are activated, the lithium triteride shell focuses the blast in upon itself, multiplying the destructive power by a hundred times. This gives the NOVA bomb an unprecedented payload for its size; the bombs are considered "planet killers" due to their destructive potential.{{Ref/Reuse|fs180}}

The NOVA bomb has been used in two known engagements: in orbit over the planet Joyous Exultation, and on the surface of the planet [[Glyke]].<ref name="Envoy">'''[[Halo: Envoy]]'''</ref> In both cases, the effects were extreme. When the bomb was detonated above Joyous Exultation, it heated the planet's atmosphere, scorched one quarter of its surface and shattered a [[Malhiem|nearby moon]]. When detonated directly on a planet's surface—as was the case on Glyke—the explosion's power was enough to disrupt the planet's structure and overcome the binding energy of its gravity, turning it into a vast cloud of debris and killing every living thing in, on, and around the planet almost instantly.~~<ref name="~~Envoy~~"/>~~

The NOVA bomb has been used in two known engagements: in orbit over the planet Joyous Exultation, and on the surface of the planet [[Glyke]].<ref name="Envoy">'''[[Halo: Envoy]]'''</ref> In both cases, the effects were extreme. When the bomb was detonated above Joyous Exultation, it heated the planet's atmosphere, scorched one quarter of its surface and shattered a [[Malhiem|nearby moon]]. When detonated directly on a planet's surface—as was the case on Glyke—the explosion's power was enough to disrupt the planet's structure and overcome the binding energy of its gravity, turning it into a vast cloud of debris and killing every living thing in, on, and around the planet almost instantly.{{Ref/Reuse|Envoy}}

Any further detailed analysis on the full power of this bomb has yet to be mentioned, but it is known that it is the most destructive weapon in the UNSC's arsenal.

== History ==

It was intended for the NOVA bomb to be used in space against the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] during the [[Fall of Reach]]. The remaining NOVA bombs were left on [[Reach]] and "re-purposed" by [[Admiral Whitcomb]]. His reasoning was that "''either the Covenant pack those bombs up and take them home for study, a possibility that I hope to God happens. A bomb like that could crack their homeworld in two. Or, the bombs stay here and they'll stop the Covenant on Reach...''"~~<ref name="~~fs180~~"/>~~

It was intended for the NOVA bomb to be used in space against the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] during the [[Fall of Reach]]. The remaining NOVA bombs were left on [[Reach]] and "re-purposed" by [[Admiral Whitcomb]]. His reasoning was that "''either the Covenant pack those bombs up and take them home for study, a possibility that I hope to God happens. A bomb like that could crack their homeworld in two. Or, the bombs stay here and they'll stop the Covenant on Reach...''"{{Ref/Reuse|fs180}}

The first documented triggering of a NOVA bomb occurred when it was accidentally detonated by a group of [[Huragok]] stationed on the [[Covenant supercarrier]] ''[[Sublime Transcendence]]''. Immediately after [[Kwassass]], a fellow crew member, deciphered Admiral Whitcomb's message, the Huragok, through their curiosity and frenzied obsession, fixed the circuitry of the bomb, detonating it despite Kwassass's attempts to stop them. The Huragok completed the detonation timer's circuit, which promptly resulted in its activation. The resulting explosion occurred between a Covenant outpost planet [[Joyous Exultation]] and its moon, [[Malhiem]], scorching half of the planet and shattering the moon. The resulting winds on Joyous Exultation flattened cities and spawned tidal waves. Radiation flooded the planet and killed everything living on it, penetrating the surface of the planet to its core. Every ship within the NOVA bomb's range, save for those on the opposite side of the planet, boiled and vaporized in an instant. The explosion was described as though "a small star had erupted between Joyous Exultation and its moon."<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 244''</ref>

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During the [[Battle for Earth]], ONI initiated [[Operation: SUNSPEAR]] and forwarded a high priority message to the [[Spartan-II program|Spartans]] of [[Gray Team]], declaring "Condition: Endgame" under which they were to execute the detonation of a NOVA bomb on the surface of the Covenant colony world of [[Glyke]], a major military production center home to billions of [[Sangheili]]. Deploying from the {{UNSCShip|Vacuna}}, Gray Team made landfall and activated the warhead on the planet's surface. Once out of range the NOVA bomb was detonated, destroying the planet and all life on its surface. Gray Team was unaware that the war was over and [[Treaty of 2552|a tentative peace]] had been reached with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], making the action no longer necessary. During the [[Carrow Conflict]] in [[2558]], Gray Team were left worried about being charged as [[war criminal]]s for their actions,

but ONI offered them a deal which included a pardon by [[Thel 'Vadam]] for Glyke's destruction.~~<ref name="~~Envoy~~"/>~~

but ONI offered them a deal which included a pardon by [[Thel 'Vadam]] for Glyke's destruction.{{Ref/Reuse|Envoy}}

During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], and the subsequent quarantine of the Installation and [[High Charity]], [[Cortana]] requested that UNSC [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] deploy a NOVA bomb around [[Installation 05]], to stop the outbreak of the [[Flood]], and ''High Charity'', in order to destroy the Covenant holy capital.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 183''</ref> However, it is apparent that this request was not granted, as High Charity was not bombed and later landed on [[Installation 00]].

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 ==Background==
-The NOVA bomb is a cluster of nine nuclear fusion warheads encased in a [[Wikipedia:lithium|lithium]] triteride case. When the warheads are activated, the lithium triteride shell focuses the blast in upon itself, multiplying the destructive power by a hundred times. This gives the NOVA bomb an unprecedented payload for its size; the bombs are considered "planet killers" due to their destructive potential.<ref name="fs180"/>
+The NOVA bomb is a cluster of nine nuclear fusion warheads encased in a [[Wikipedia:lithium|lithium]] triteride case. When the warheads are activated, the lithium triteride shell focuses the blast in upon itself, multiplying the destructive power by a hundred times. This gives the NOVA bomb an unprecedented payload for its size; the bombs are considered "planet killers" due to their destructive potential.{{Ref/Reuse|fs180}}
-The NOVA bomb has been used in two known engagements: in orbit over the planet Joyous Exultation, and on the surface of the planet [[Glyke]].<ref name="Envoy">'''[[Halo: Envoy]]'''</ref> In both cases, the effects were extreme. When the bomb was detonated above Joyous Exultation, it heated the planet's atmosphere, scorched one quarter of its surface and shattered a [[Malhiem|nearby moon]]. When detonated directly on a planet's surface—as was the case on Glyke—the explosion's power was enough to disrupt the planet's structure and overcome the binding energy of its gravity, turning it into a vast cloud of debris and killing every living thing in, on, and around the planet almost instantly.<ref name="Envoy"/>
+The NOVA bomb has been used in two known engagements: in orbit over the planet Joyous Exultation, and on the surface of the planet [[Glyke]].<ref name="Envoy">'''[[Halo: Envoy]]'''</ref> In both cases, the effects were extreme. When the bomb was detonated above Joyous Exultation, it heated the planet's atmosphere, scorched one quarter of its surface and shattered a [[Malhiem|nearby moon]]. When detonated directly on a planet's surface—as was the case on Glyke—the explosion's power was enough to disrupt the planet's structure and overcome the binding energy of its gravity, turning it into a vast cloud of debris and killing every living thing in, on, and around the planet almost instantly.{{Ref/Reuse|Envoy}}
 Any further detailed analysis on the full power of this bomb has yet to be mentioned, but it is known that it is the most destructive weapon in the UNSC's arsenal.
 == History ==
-It was intended for the NOVA bomb to be used in space against the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] during the [[Fall of Reach]]. The remaining NOVA bombs were left on [[Reach]] and "re-purposed" by [[Admiral Whitcomb]]. His reasoning was that "''either the Covenant pack those bombs up and take them home for study, a possibility that I hope to God happens. A bomb like that could crack their homeworld in two. Or, the bombs stay here and they'll stop the Covenant on Reach...''"<ref name="fs180"/>
+It was intended for the NOVA bomb to be used in space against the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] during the [[Fall of Reach]]. The remaining NOVA bombs were left on [[Reach]] and "re-purposed" by [[Admiral Whitcomb]]. His reasoning was that "''either the Covenant pack those bombs up and take them home for study, a possibility that I hope to God happens. A bomb like that could crack their homeworld in two. Or, the bombs stay here and they'll stop the Covenant on Reach...''"{{Ref/Reuse|fs180}}
 The first documented triggering of a NOVA bomb occurred when it was accidentally detonated by a group of [[Huragok]] stationed on the [[Covenant supercarrier]] ''[[Sublime Transcendence]]''. Immediately after [[Kwassass]], a fellow crew member, deciphered Admiral Whitcomb's message, the Huragok, through their curiosity and frenzied obsession, fixed the circuitry of the bomb, detonating it despite Kwassass's attempts to stop them. The Huragok completed the detonation timer's circuit, which promptly resulted in its activation. The resulting explosion occurred between a Covenant outpost planet [[Joyous Exultation]] and its moon, [[Malhiem]], scorching half of the planet and shattering the moon. The resulting winds on Joyous Exultation flattened cities and spawned tidal waves. Radiation flooded the planet and killed everything living on it, penetrating the surface of the planet to its core. Every ship within the NOVA bomb's range, save for those on the opposite side of the planet, boiled and vaporized in an instant. The explosion was described as though "a small star had erupted between Joyous Exultation and its moon."<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 244''</ref>
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 During the [[Battle for Earth]], ONI initiated [[Operation: SUNSPEAR]] and forwarded a high priority message to the [[Spartan-II program|Spartans]] of [[Gray Team]], declaring "Condition: Endgame" under which they were to execute the detonation of a NOVA bomb on the surface of the Covenant colony world of [[Glyke]], a major military production center home to billions of [[Sangheili]]. Deploying from the {{UNSCShip|Vacuna}}, Gray Team made landfall and activated the warhead on the planet's surface. Once out of range the NOVA bomb was detonated, destroying the planet and all life on its surface. Gray Team was unaware that the war was over and [[Treaty of 2552|a tentative peace]] had been reached with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], making the action no longer necessary. During the [[Carrow Conflict]] in [[2558]], Gray Team were left worried about being charged as [[war criminal]]s for their actions,
-but ONI offered them a deal which included a pardon by [[Thel 'Vadam]] for Glyke's destruction.<ref name="Envoy"/>
+but ONI offered them a deal which included a pardon by [[Thel 'Vadam]] for Glyke's destruction.{{Ref/Reuse|Envoy}}
 During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], and the subsequent quarantine of the Installation and [[High Charity]], [[Cortana]] requested that UNSC [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] deploy a NOVA bomb around [[Installation 05]], to stop the outbreak of the [[Flood]], and ''High Charity'', in order to destroy the Covenant holy capital.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 183''</ref> However, it is apparent that this request was not granted, as High Charity was not bombed and later landed on [[Installation 00]].