detects gamma ray radiation
Lets talk a little about this area. The core of nuclear weapons is the "pit" Pits have been made of U-235 and Pu-239. Today Pu-239 is the preferred material.
If they lost a nuke, they are looking for the "pit" it is all that matters. The rest is scrap metal/stuff without the pit. Perhaps the size of a softball-ish. Since it is nuclear material, it is constantly decaying with a half life. The half life (time to cut activity in half) for Pu-239 is 24,200 years. The half life for U-235 is 703,800,000 years.
Primary decay products:
Pu-239 decays primarily through Alpha Particle (2 protons & 2 neutrons) at 5.16 MeV and becomes U-235.
U-235 decay products are formed through a series of alpha, beta, and gamma emissions, ultimately resulting in the stable isotope lead-207.
Now how can we detect nuclear decay products? There are likely satellite sensors, airborne sensors (both fixed wing and helicopter), land based detectors in trucks and vehicles, and hand held detectors (geiger type counters). Some of these sensors are spectrometers, and can gather enough data to actually tell you where the "fuel" came from, as in what batch and what country. The so called Geli detector, also known as a lithium-drifted germanium (GeLi) detector, is a type of semiconductor detector used to measure ionizing radiation, particularly gamma radiation. It is very accurate and cooled with liquid nitrogen. Advances in cooling technology have enabled the development of portable, cryogen-free Geli detectors, making them more accessible for field applications. Next in line is the NaI detector. It is widely used for detecting and measuring radiation, particularly gamma radiation. Sodium iodide (NaI) is a scintillator material that exhibits scintillation, or luminescence, when excited by ionizing radiation. When a gamma photon interacts with the NaI crystal, it absorbs the energy and releases a burst of light, which is then detected by a photomultiplier tube (PMT) or other electronic light sensor. NaI are not as sensitive or accurate as NaI detectors.
Why are they using drones? Why at night? Likely shielding. Alpha particles are easily shielded. A sheet of paper will do it. So you have to go after secondary decay products. The closer you are the more sensitive you will be. So things get better as you go from satellite > to high altitude aircraft > helicopters > drones > trucks > handheld. My guess is they are looking for gamma radiation coming from decay products.
Also the drones may be doing gas sniffing. I have yet to figure what gas they are after. It fits with night time when things are "stiller" and there is less activity in the air and on the streets. But decay gas isotopes would be so diluted... perhaps they have something not in the literature.
If there is any physical damage to the "pit" and if it is not in its intended surroundings, it won't go "off." The material is the making of a dirty bomb however. Pu is bad stuff if atomized and dispersed.
Dear Father in Heaven, if this is the threat to America, we ask Your divine hand to have this material found by God fearing and righteous authorities. There is so much we distrust in today's world... but we cling to You. We want to live according to Your will and Your ways. We ask Your protection upon all who are Yours and call upon Your name. Protect those who may be on the front line in this endeavor. In Jesus Name we pray.
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