"Atoms-for-Peace," fusion on a grand scale
The "Atoms for Peace" conference, whose 50th anniversary will be commemorated this week in Geneva, marked a turning point in the history of nuclear research. The conference was of particular significance for fusion scientists, heralding a new era of international exchanges and cooperation. The event reverberated around the whole world—and beyond. To celebrate the new openness to which the world was heading, the International Astronomic Union decided to give the name "Atoms-for-Peace" to a galaxy (NGC 7252) 300 million light-years away, in the constellation Aquarius.
For fusion scientists, it was a perfect symbol: "Atoms-for-peace" is the result of a "collision" between two disc-shaped galaxies that merged to form a new body—a bit like fusion, but on a grand scale.