New Underwater Telescopes Detect High-Energy Neutrinos

Scientists have initiated a groundbreaking project to detect high-energy neutrinos, often referred to as ghost particles, beneath the Mediterranean Sea. This initiative involves two telescopes as part of the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT). One telescope focuses on neutrinos originating from space, while the other examines atmospheric neutrinos. This innovative approach parallels the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, which operates under Antarctic ice.

About Neutrinos

Neutrinos are subatomic particles similar to electrons but carry no electric charge.

First detected in 1959, they were predicted in 1931. Neutrinos rank among the universe’s fundamental particles and are the second most abundant after photons.

Remarkably, about one billion neutrinos pass through a cubic centimetre of space every second.

Importance of High-Energy Neutrinos

Scientists target high-energy neutrinos due to their rarity and potential vital information about cosmic phenomena. These neutrinos typically originate from extraordinary events such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. Their study enables astrophysicists to explore regions obscured by dust, which blocks visible light. High-energy neutrinos may also provide clues about cosmic ray production and dark matter.

Rationale for Underwater Telescopes

Detecting high-energy neutrinos poses challenges since they interact minimally with matter. On average, only one neutrino interacts with a person’s body over a lifetime. The IceCube facility has detected only a handful of these particles since its inception. To improve detection, a vast volume of optically transparent material is essential, ideally located in dark environments.

Advantages of the Mediterranean Location

Underwater neutrino telescopes offer advantages over their ice-based counterparts. Water scatters light less effectively than ice, allowing for more accurate tracking of neutrino origins. However, water does absorb light more, resulting in less illumination for analysis. This balance of factors makes the Mediterranean Sea an ideal site for advanced neutrino studies.

Key Facts About Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope

KM3NeT (Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope) is a next-gen neutrino observatory located deep under the Mediterranean Sea.

The telescope spans three sites in the Mediterranean:

KM3NeT-It (Sicily, Italy).

KM3NeT-Fr (Toulon, France).

KM3NeT-Gr (Peloponnese, Greece).

It will eventually include 12000 optical sensor modules mounted on 600 flexible vertical strings, connected to shore for data processing.

GKToday Notes:

KM3NeT: The Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope is a groundbreaking project under the Mediterranean Sea. It aims to detect high-energy neutrinos from space and the atmosphere for advanced astrophysical research.
Cherenkov Radiation: This phenomenon occurs when charged particles, like neutrinos, travel faster than light in a medium like water. It produces faint blue light, which helps scientists trace neutrino paths and origins.
IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Located in Antarctica, IceCube is the first telescope to detect high-energy neutrinos. Operational since 2011, it has only identified a handful of these elusive particles due to their minimal interactions.
Neutrino Detection Challenges: Neutrinos are extremely difficult to detect because they rarely interact with matter. On average, a person experiences only one neutrino interaction throughout their lifetime, complicating their study.