God Ray

The God Ray at Chernobyl refers to a phenomenon that occurred during the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. After the explosion and subsequent fire at the nuclear power plant, a beam of light was observed shining into the sky, resembling a "ray of God."

The God Ray was caused by the intense heat and radiation released from the damaged reactor, which ionized the air, creating a pathway for light to travel. The light was then scattered by the smoke and dust in the air, creating the dramatic effect.

Chernobyl's fallout impacted several generations of women in my immediate family in Eastern Poland, as they suffered from the fact and from the spectre of throat cancer.

The God Ray is a haunting reminder of the power of nuclear energy and the catastrophic consequences of its misuse. It has become an iconic image of the Chernobyl disaster and a symbol of the dangers of nuclear power.