China is constructing the world’s largest “ghost particle” detector in the South China Sea.
What are Ghost Particles (Neutrinos)?
- Neutrinos, also known as “ghost particles,” are essential to understanding the origins of cosmic rays.
- Neutrinos are a type of electron but, unlike electrons, they do not have any charge.
- They are termed “ghost particles” because they mostly go undetected due to their rare interactions with other particles.
- They are among the most abundant particles in our universe, with trillions passing through us every second.
- They are among the tiniest particles despite their abundance.
- Initially believed to be massless, evidence now suggests they have a very small mass.
- Their weak charge and minuscule mass make them challenging to observe.
Detection of Ghost Particles:
- Ghost particles rarely interact with other particles.
- Occasionally, they interact with water molecules.
- This interaction with water molecules is why China is building its ghost molecule telescope underwater.
- When neutrinos travel through water or ice, they create byproducts called “muons” that produce flashes of light.
- These flashes can be detected by sophisticated underwater telescopes.
Key Fact:
- The largest existing neutrino-detecting telescope is the “IceCube” telescope by the University of Madison-Wisconson, located deep in the Antarctic.
- China’s new telescope, named “Trident,” will be 7.5 cubic kilometres in size, making it “10,000 times more sensitive” than existing telescopes.
Ref: Source
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