Scientists are deploying two telescopes under the Mediterranean Sea to detect high-energy neutrinos, also called ghost particles.
What Are Neutrinos?
- Neutrinos are tiny particles similar to electrons but have no electric charge.
They are one of the fundamental building blocks of the universe.- Neutrinos were detected for the first time in 1959.
- Neutrinos are the second most abundant subatomic particles in the universe, after photons.
- They are incredibly numerous, with about 1 billion neutrinos passing through a single cubic centimetre of space every second.
- They are known as “ghost particles” because they barely interact with anything.
- Sources of Neutrinos
- Neutrinos are produced when heavy particles transform into lighter ones, a process called “decay.”
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Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO)
- It is a project to build a world class underground lab to study fundamental scientific concepts.
- Objective: Its main study is focused on the study of neutrinos.
- Funded by: Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology.
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- These neutrinos originate from distant and exotic cosmic events like:
- Supernovae
- Gamma-ray bursts
- Colliding stars
- While neutrinos are abundant, scientists focus on rare, high-energy neutrinos traveling at incredible speeds.
Importance of Studying High-Energy Neutrinos
- Exploring Hidden Regions of Space
- High-energy neutrinos can penetrate dusty regions in space, such as the centre of the Milky Way.
- Unlike visible light, which is absorbed or scattered by dust, neutrinos pass through, revealing hidden cosmic mechanisms.
- Understanding Cosmic Rays and Dark Matter
- They provide clues about how cosmic rays are produced.
- They may also shed light on dark matter, one of the universe’s greatest mysteries.
- Unlocking New Discoveries
- Studying neutrinos could lead to the discovery of unknown phenomena that scientists cannot yet imagine.
Challenges in Detecting Neutrinos
- Rare Interaction with Matter
- Neutrinos barely interact with other particles, making them extremely hard to detect.
- Despite billions of neutrinos passing through us every second, only one might interact with a human body in an entire lifetime.
- High-Energy Neutrinos Are Rare
- High-energy neutrinos are uncommon and originate from rare cosmic events like supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.
- Even advanced observatories like IceCube, operational since 2011, have detected only a limited number of these particles.
- Need for Large Detection Volumes
- Neutrino detection requires a huge volume of transparent material, such as ice or water, to observe the faint flashes of light they produce.
- Requirement for a Dark Environment
- Detection relies on observing Cherenkov radiation, faint light flashes produced when neutrinos interact with water or ice molecules.
- A dark environment is crucial to minimize interference from other light sources.
- Light Absorption and Scattering
- Materials like ice and water affect light differently:
- Ice scatters light more, making it harder to trace the exact source of neutrinos.
- Water absorbs light more, reducing the amount available for analysis.
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About the Telescopes
- These telescopes are part of the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT) project.
- Purpose of the Telescopes
- Studying Space Neutrinos: One telescope will detect high-energy neutrinos originating from outer space.
- Analyzing Atmospheric Neutrinos: The other will focus on neutrinos generated in Earth’s atmosphere.
- The KM3NeT telescopes are similar to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica, which also studies high-energy neutrinos.
- Difference:
- IceCube is embedded in the frozen ice, while KM3NeT telescopes are placed underwater in the Mediterranean Sea.
Key Benefits of Underwater Telescopes
- Clearer Detection: Water scatters light less, improving neutrino tracking.
- Cosmic Exploration: Studies hidden phenomena like supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.
- Large Volume: Deep-sea water enables effective neutrino detection.
- Better than Ice: Water-based telescopes offer clearer conditions than ice ones.
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3 Jan 2025
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