What were the Fishbowl Tests?

• A. A series of nuclear tests to determine the effects of radiation on sea life
• B. French nuclear weapons tests under Mururoa Atoll in the Pacific Ocean
• C. A series of ASAT weapons tests conducted in the mid-1980s
• D. A series of nuclear tests conducted in the upper atmosphere in 1962 to measure electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects

Answer: (B)

Fishbowl tests were high-altitude nuclear detonations conducted by the United States in 1962 to study electromagnetic pulse effects and how a nuclear burst interacts with the ionosphere and satellites. They were part of Operation Dominic and aimed to understand impacts on communications, radar, and power systems. A notable result was Starfish Prime, which produced a large EMP and damaged electrical equipment in Hawaii and affected satellites. These tests were not French tests at Mururoa Atoll, nor ASAT tests, nor experiments on sea life. So, describing them as upper-atmosphere nuclear tests in 1962 to measure EMP effects is correct.