Chinese scientists have launched a deep-sea neutrino detection project in the South China Sea. Using detectors placed 5,250 feet underwater, they aim to build the world’s largest neutrino observatory, the High-energy Underwater Neutrino Telescope (HUNT), spanning 30 cubic kilometers. The project could enhance understanding of cosmic rays, supernovae, and the universe’s origins.
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Picture Courtesy: INDIAN EXPRESS
Chinese scientists have placed detectors in the South China Sea to build an underwater observatory to find neutrinos.
Chinese scientists have installed a set of special detectors deep in the South China Sea to hunt for neutrinos. These particles are called “ghost particles” because they barely interact with matter at all.
Scientists placed their equipment 5,250 feet underwater using a deep-sea submersible called Shenhai Yongshi (Deep-Sea Warrior).
Bigger goal of this projectThe deep-sea setup is part of China’s plan to build the High-energy Underwater Neutrino Telescope (HUNT). Once completed, HUNT will be the largest underwater neutrino observatory in the world. |
The scientists use highly sensitive detectors along with a special LED light source for calibration.
When neutrinos pass through the water, they create tiny flashes of light. The detectors capture these flashes, and the data is sent back through an underwater observation network.
Neutrinos travel in straight lines from their cosmic sources because they aren’t affected by magnetic fields. This makes them excellent messengers, helping scientists to trace back cosmic rays to extreme events like supernovae and galaxy collisions.
Studying them can provide clues about the origins of the universe.
Other major neutrino observatories include:
Both are set to expand to 8 cubic km, but the Chinese project spans about 30 cubic kilometers. This ambitious project will help China to lead in neutrino astronomy by providing more reliable data than smaller observatories.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Which of the following statements about neutrinos are correct?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: A) 1 and 3 B) 2 and 4 C) 1, 3, and 4 D) 1 and 2 Answer: A Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Neutrinos are electrically neutral. Statement 2 is incorrect: Neutrinos belong to the lepton family, not the baryon family. Statement 3 is correct: Neutrinos interact via the weak nuclear force, which is why they are hard to detect. Statement 4 is incorrect: Neutrinos have a very small mass and travel close to, but not at, the speed of light. |
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