The origin and evolution of the universe have fascinated humanity for millennia. Modern scientific theories, such as the Big Bang theory, provide a framework for understanding these cosmic processes. The universe began as an unimaginably dense and hot singularity around 13.8 billion years ago, expanding rapidly and cooling over time. Through cosmic inflation, galaxies, stars, … Read more
The Standard Model of Particle Physics is scientists’ best understanding of the forces that describe how subatomic particles interact. The Standard Model encompasses four forces: the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, the electromagnetic force, and the gravitational force. All four forces govern the way our universe works. However, the weak nuclear force is … Read more
What is the mass of a neutrino at rest? This is one of the big unanswered questions in physics. Neutrinos play a central role in nature. A team led by Klaus Blaum, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, has now made an important contribution in “weighing” neutrinos as part of … Read more
The discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 slotted in the final missing piece of the Standard Model puzzle. Yet, it left lingering questions. What lies beyond this framework? Where are the new phenomena that would solve the universe’s remaining mysteries, such as the nature of dark matter and the origin of matter-antimatter asymmetry? One … Read more
Quantum mechanics is one of the most profound and revolutionary theories in modern physics, unraveling the mysteries of the subatomic world and fundamentally transforming our understanding of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. Developed in the early 20th century through the works of pioneering physicists such as Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, … Read more
The Standard Model of Particle Physics represents one of modern physics’ crowning achievements, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding the fundamental forces and building blocks of the universe. This model has been developed through decades of experimental discoveries and theoretical advancements, culminating in a description of particles and forces that govern the behavior of matter … Read more
Most of the energy from the sun and other stars comes from a chain of nuclear fusion reactions. The end of this chain is marked by the fusion of protons with beryllium-7 to form boron-8. This process is key in determining the flow of high-energy solar neutrinos that reach the Earth. The low-energy conditions under … Read more
The recent findings from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have unveiled a new chapter in the cosmic saga surrounding Supernova 1987A (SN 1987A), shedding light on the elusive presence of a neutron star at the heart of this stellar explosion. Situated 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, SN 1987A holds a special … Read more
Stars are celestial bodies that emit light and heat, providing the energy that sustains life and drives the processes occurring throughout the universe. At the heart of a star lies a complex and fascinating process known as nuclear fusion, which powers the star and produces the radiant energy that we observe from Earth. Understanding how … Read more
The Big Bang is the prevailing cosmological model that describes the observable universe’s origin and early expansion. It proposes that approximately 13.8 billion years ago, the entire cosmos existed as an extremely hot and dense singularity, a point of infinite density. Suddenly, it underwent an exponential expansion, leading to the formation of space, time, and … Read more
Quantum Field Theory (QFT) stands as one of the cornerstones of modern theoretical physics, providing a powerful framework for understanding the fundamental particles and forces that make up the universe. Born out of the synthesis of quantum mechanics and special relativity, quantum field theory describes particles as excitations of underlying fields permeating space and time. … Read more
Dark matter is a mysterious and elusive form of matter that does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, making it essentially invisible to telescopes and other instruments designed to detect light. Despite its enigmatic nature, dark matter plays a crucial role in shaping the structure and behavior of the universe. The … Read more
The Fermi Paradox is a captivating concept that arises from the apparent contradiction between the high probability of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence or contact with such civilizations. Named after physicist Enrico Fermi, the paradox encapsulates the puzzling question: if the universe is vast, filled with billions of potentially habitable … Read more
Dark matter is a mysterious and elusive form of matter that makes up approximately 27% of the universe. Despite its significant presence, dark matter does not interact with light, making it invisible and challenging to detect directly. The existence of dark matter was first proposed in the 1930s by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky, who observed … Read more
Particle physicists engaged in the pursuit of understanding neutrinos, cosmic-rays, and other charged particles rely on sophisticated instruments capable of detecting faint bursts of light produced when incident particles interact with a given medium. One prevalent instrument, known as Cherenkov detectors, utilizes photomultiplier tubes to capture as much of this light as possible, providing a … Read more
In the vast cosmic ballet, the demise of a massive star takes center stage in a cataclysmic event known as a supernova. This explosive spectacle marks the star’s violent end, unleashing unimaginable energy that momentarily outshines the combined luminosity of an entire galaxy. Amidst the cosmic fireworks, the supernova scatters heavy elements into space, contributing … Read more
It’s a thought-provoking statement that all stars, including our own Sun, will eventually meet their demise. However, there’s no need to worry just yet, as we still have billions of years before the sun’s time runs out. The grand finale for massive stars often involves a dramatic supernova explosion, a cosmic spectacle that sends a … Read more
The neutrino, a remarkably elusive and poorly understood subatomic particle, rarely interacts with matter, posing a challenge for precise studies. Nuclear reactors, the most potent sources of neutrinos on Earth, play a vital role in exploring these mysterious particles. The Precision Reactor Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment (PROSPECT) was specifically designed for in-depth examinations of electron … Read more
Last year, researchers from Northwestern University revealed groundbreaking evidence that long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) could occur due to the merger of a neutron star with another compact object, previously thought impossible. In a recent study published in the Astrophysical Journal, another Northwestern team proposed a potential explanation for the remarkably luminous burst of light resulting … Read more
In a recent study, scientists have made progress in understanding how exploding stars can help unveil the hidden interactions of neutrinos, enigmatic subatomic particles. Neutrinos, mysterious and elusive, barely interact with regular matter as they traverse it near the speed of light. Despite their abundance and constant passage through us, their elusive nature makes them … Read more