Nuclear tests and thin collumns of vapour/particles

[Atomos]

Often in daylight test videos you see several columns of what appears to be vapour shooting up into the sky beside the blast. What are these?

edit: excuse typo in title.

edit 2: example - http://www.mbe.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/images/UpshotKnotholeAnnieLarge.jpg

They appear to be there to observe the dynamics of the air around the blast. How are they created?

 

[theCandyman]

You got it right, those are made to study the effects of the shockwave after an explosion. They are not a result of the weapon.

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

These columns of vapor or particles are known as shock diamonds or Mach diamonds and are a common phenomenon observed during nuclear tests. They are created due to the sudden release of enormous amounts of energy and heat during the explosion. As the hot gases from the explosion expand and rise, they create a shockwave that compresses the surrounding air and creates a pattern of alternating high and low pressure regions. This causes the vapor or particles to condense and form the distinct columns that can be seen in the test videos.

These columns serve as a visual representation of the shockwave and can provide valuable information about the dynamics of the air around the blast. Scientists can analyze the shape and movement of the shock diamonds to better understand the behavior of the explosion and its effects on the surrounding environment. They can also use this information to improve and refine their models and simulations of nuclear explosions.

Overall, these columns of vapor or particles are an important aspect of nuclear testing and provide valuable insights into the complex processes involved in a nuclear explosion.