As an expert, I can provide you with a detailed answer regarding the visibility inside reactor 4 at the Chernobyl power plant. However, I must clarify that I am an AI and do not possess personal experiences or emotions. Nevertheless, I will strive to offer you an informative and comprehensive response.
Can you see inside reactor 4? The short answer is no, you cannot see inside the actual reactor itself. After the catastrophic accident that occurred in 1986, which resulted in a massive release of radioactive material, a large concrete structure known as the “sarcophagus” was constructed to encapsulate the damaged reactor. This sarcophagus, also referred to as the Chernobyl Shelter or Object Shelter, was designed to contain the radioactive materials and prevent further releases into the environment.
The original sarcophagus, hastily constructed after the accident, began to deteriorate and posed a significant risk of collapse. Therefore, a new confinement structure, called the New Safe Confinement (NSC), was completed in 2016. This immense structure, often described as the largest movable land-based structure ever built, now encloses the damaged reactor and the original sarcophagus.
While you cannot see inside the reactor itself, visitors to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone can get relatively close to the NSC and have a clear view of its exterior. The NSC is an impressive sight, spanning 108 meters in height, 162 meters in length, and 257 meters in width. It was designed to ensure the safe management and eventual decommissioning of the damaged reactor.
For those who have the opportunity to go inside the Chernobyl power plant, there is a chance to visit the Control Room #4. This is the room where the accident originated and where the operators were present during the incident. However, it is important to note that access to the Control Room #4 is restricted and requires special permission and supervision.
Entering the Control Room #4 allows visitors to witness the place where the disaster unfolded. It provides a chilling reminder of the events that led to the explosion and subsequent release of radiation. The room itself is preserved as it was during the time of the accident, serving as a haunting memorial to the tragic events that unfolded on April 26, 1986.
Inside the Control Room #4, you can see the control panels, switches, and equipment that the operators used during their ill-fated attempts to control the reactor. The walls bear witness to the intense heat and the devastation caused by the explosion. It is a somber and sobering experience to stand in the very room where the accident began and imagine the chaos and fear that ensued.
While you cannot see inside reactor 4 itself due to the protective structures that now enclose it, visitors to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone can get close to the New Safe Confinement and witness the exterior view of the damaged reactor. Additionally, for those granted special access, the Control Room #4 provides a haunting reminder of the accident’s origin and the tragic consequences that followed.