Proximity blast

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.

A proximity blast is a special phaser setting used rarely aboard 23rd century Federation starships.

It was used in 2266 against a cloaked Romulan Bird-of-Prey to blanket fire the approximate coordinates of the ship. It was also used for making the point-blank shot to detonate a nuclear warhead less than a hundred meters away from the USS Enterprise and to disable the Bird-of-prey when it became visible. (TOS: "Balance of Terror")

The proximity blast setting was also used by the Enterprise against a Klingon D7 class battle cruiser in 2267. A one hundred percent dispersal pattern was succesful in hitting and destroying the attacking vessel. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy")

[edit] Background

Considering the premise of "Balance of Terror", which was based on a World War II naval battle, the proximity blast was to emulate a function similar to that of a depth charge. The special effect was also used to represent a photon torpedo launch on many occasions. When the "Balance of Terror" was digitally remastered by CBS Digital in 2006 a unique special effect was developed.