The glow from this spent reactor core was like being close to a gentle star.

HOLYBROOKE, Nevada—The U.S. government spent $2.7 billion dollars in 2004 to keep nuclear waste safely contained and as far away from people as possible. Starting Monday, the government will charge $10 per person to get a close look at that same radioactive waste. Why? Because museum focus groups found that Americans like "things that glow."

For the press, the National Museum of Nuclear Waste opened its 8-inch thick steel doors yesterday in the sleepy town of Holybrooke, Nevada. Several dozen local residents picketed in front of the museum as the first visitors strolled in.

But the spirit of fun was in the air, and it was not to be denied by a few loud voices with signs. Soon the massive steel doors sealed out all the noise. Once my eyes adjusted, it was like a lava lamp and glow stick wonder world.

While the initial display of glowing radioactive material of different shapes and sizes was impressive, I’ll never forget the hot nuclear spring room. Imagine a pool of water deep in a cave with a bright green glow. It looked a lot like the green slime I used to play with as a kid, and I almost wanted to touch it.

Several politicians attended the opening, including senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Robert Byrd (D-WV). Byrd introduced a bill in 2001 requiring all new museums seeking government funding to hold focus groups in order to determine whether or not a demand existed for the museum as well as what potential visitors would like to see. Over four years, dozens of focus groups were conducted for various museum proposals.

Thousands of different participants were asked general questions about what they would like to see in a museum, any museum. Over time, it became more and more obvious that many Americans like "things that glow." From a transcript of one focus group, a member stated, "Why don't you have a museum with glowing nuclear waste like on the Simpsons. That's pretty cool when they show that green rod in the beginning of each show. I'd pay to see live, green radioactive rods. Hell yeah."

For the politicians attending the opening, it was an obvious attempt to get camera time and bask in the glow of a rare bipartisan legislative victory that will eliminate billions of dollars in wasteful government spending. Even Green Peace endorsed the museum, because much of the money that is saved will be spent on programs to protect the environment.

The National Museum of Nuclear Waste is handicapped-accessible and a 30-minute drive from Reno, Nevada. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Nuclear-themed food is available at an onsite eatery, including spicy nuclear chicken wings and nuclear chili that is slightly radioactive, but well within FDA guidelines.