Could we detect a nuclear explosion near Proxima Centauri?

Question

How big would a nuclear explosion in open space around 1 AU from Proxima Centauri have to be for it to be detectable with current technology? Assume best-case scenarios, such as we're specifically looking for it, it's at the closest approach and best angle, etc. Just to clarify, I'm more interested in an answer based on existing technology.

Answer 1

Hi :)

It depends on the size of the bomb, but with the technology we have now it is not possible to detect a nuclear explosion near Proxima Centauri with current technology. Even if we take a nuclear bombs sized the Earth.

Even if we were actively looking for it and it occurred at the closest possible point and perfect orientation, the explosion would need to be millions of times larger than current nuclear weapons to be detectable at Earth.