The underwater neutrino telescope, spanning approximately 30 cubic kilometers in volume and submerged more than 1 km deep, is being spearheaded by Chen Mingjun at the Institute of High Energy Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Chinese scientists are developing an extraordinary underwater neutrino telescope with the goal of uncovering secrets behind the origin of cosmic rays. By detecting high-energy neutrinos, the massive submerged facility could unlock vital knowledge that has eluded scientists for over a century.
Delving Into Neutrino Mysteries
The underwater neutrino telescope, spanning approximately 30 cubic kilometers in volume and submerged more than 1 km deep, is being spearheaded by Chen Mingjun at the Institute of High Energy Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This bold endeavor aims to detect high-energy neutrinos thought to be produced outside our solar system. Tracking these elusive particles could offer clues about the origin of cosmic rays and help solve a scientific puzzle that has persisted for more than 100 years.
Unraveling the Connection Between Neutrinos and Cosmic Rays
Recently, China’s Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) pinpointed 12 gamma-ray sources believed to share origins with cosmic rays. Chen proposes that high-energy neutrinos and gamma rays may be generated simultaneously as high-energy cosmic rays are created. By detecting both particles, scientists may be able to determine the source of these mysterious cosmic rays.
Deep Water Detection: An Ideal Environment for Neutrino Research
Positioning the telescope more than 1 km underwater creates the perfect conditions for neutrino detection, as the absence of sunlight and organisms ensures a pristine environment. Neutrinos passing through the water will collide with atomic nuclei, generating secondary particles and emitting light signals that underwater detectors can capture.
A Global Race for Neutrino Detection
China’s planned neutrino telescope will surpass the size of its international counterparts, including the IceCube Neutrino Observatory near the South Pole and the Baikal-GVD neutrino telescope in Lake Baikal. Despite this significant advantage, the research team faces several challenges such as developing waterproof detectors and managing the high costs of underwater equipment and operations.
A New Frontier in Astrophysics
This ambitious underwater neutrino telescope project marks a new frontier in astrophysics, with the potential to reveal the enigmatic origins of cosmic rays. As scientists continue to push the boundaries of our understanding, the potential for groundbreaking discoveries in this field has never been more exciting.
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