Conflicting reports have placed yesterday's North Korean nuclear weapon test as between 1/2 kiloton and 15 kilotons or more. The low end would possibly indicate a poor or less-than-complete fission of the weapon.

Not yet reported is whether it was a Pu-239 bomb, or a U-235 bomb. Reportedly, North Korea was using its nuclear reactor fuel rods to extract Plutonium. However, the reactor was designed for energy production, not weapons-grade Plutonium production. It has long been predicted that the Plutonium from such reactors would have an excess of Pu-240, compared to the Pu-239 which is produced when U-238 is neutron irradiated. Pu-240 serves as a fission 'poison'.

Perhaps this test, if the low-yield holds up under analysis, is indicative that their Plutonium is a poor-grade bomb material. Reportedly too, North Korea continues along the lines of U-235 enrichment ala Pakistan's completed route, and Iran's pending route.

Any insight from weapons physicists?

I think it would be much smarter to err on the side of caution, don't you?

I know it's hard to believe, but intelligence reports have been known to be incorrect or inaccurate. Caution is the word for the day.

Baron Max

I think they just had everone in the country jump at one time, causing the tremor felt in south korea. :D

I think they just had everone in the country jump at one time, causing the tremor felt in south korea. :D

Yeah, probably all of them practicing for the grand finale of 'So Ronry' the musical.