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NOVA bomb: Difference between revisions
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{{Quote|This is the prototype NOVA bomb, nine fusion warheads encased in [[lithium triteride]] armor. When detonated, it compresses its fissionable material to neutron-star density, boosting the thermonuclear yield a hundredfold. I am [[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]], temporarily in command of the [[UNSC]] military base [[Reach]]. To the Covenant uglies that might be listening, you have a few seconds to pray to your damned heathen gods. You all have a nice day in hell...|[[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]]'s recording on the NOVA bomb, right before it is activated in the space adjacent to the planet [[Joyous Exultation]].}} | {{Quote|This is the prototype NOVA bomb, nine fusion warheads encased in [[lithium triteride]] armor. When detonated, it compresses its fissionable material to neutron-star density, boosting the thermonuclear yield a hundredfold. I am [[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]], temporarily in command of the [[UNSC]] military base [[Reach]]. To the Covenant uglies that might be listening, you have a few seconds to pray to your damned heathen gods. You all have a nice day in hell...|[[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]]'s recording on the NOVA bomb, right before it is activated in the space adjacent to the planet [[Joyous Exultation]].}} | ||
The ''' | The '''NOVA bomb''' is a [[nuclear weapon|nuclear explosive device]] used by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Described as "planet killers", NOVAs contain a very high-yield combination of nine nuclear fusion warheads, the explosive power of which is harnessed to compress additional [[Wikipedia:lithium|lithium]] triteride fusionable material to astronomical densities and magnify the overall blast to titanic proportions.<ref name="fs19">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''Chapter 19''</ref> It is quite possibly the most destructive weapon utilized by either side in the [[Human-Covenant War]]. | ||
== | ==Background== | ||
The NOVA bomb is a cluster of nine nuclear fusion warheads, each encased in [[Wikipedia:lithium|lithium]] triteride armor. The casing serves as additional fusionable material to the initial nine warheads. When the nine fusion warheads are detonated, the lithium triteride casings are forced together in the center of the combined blast and subjected to massive levels of pressure and superheating,<ref name="fs19"/> achieving "neutron star density" according to Vice Admiral [[Danforth Whitcomb]]. It is because of the energy released by the nuclear fusion of the additional material that the resulting detonation's yield is magnified a hundredfold over that of the nine warheads alone.<ref name="GoO27">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''Chapter 27''</ref> The NOVA bomb carries an unprecedented payload for its size; the bombs are considered "planet killers" due to their destructive potential.<ref name="fs19"/> | |||
Originally intended for use against the Covenant in space,<ref name="fs19"/> 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}} | Originally intended for use against the Covenant in space,<ref name="fs19"/> 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}} | ||