Project Overview:
- Scientists are deploying the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT) under the Mediterranean Sea.
- It consists of two telescopes: one to study neutrinos from space and the other for atmospheric neutrinos.
Neutrinos Explained:
- Tiny, electrically neutral subatomic particles, second most abundant after photons.
- Predicted in 1931 by Wolfgang Pauli and detected in 1959.
- Rarely interact with matter, making them difficult to detect (“ghost particles”).
Importance of High-Energy Neutrinos:
- Originate from cosmic events like supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.
- Can penetrate cosmic dust, providing insights into hidden regions of space, such as the Milky Way’s core.
Detection Mechanism:
- Cherenkov radiation: Light flashes produced when neutrinos interact with water or ice molecules.
- Detected by sensors to trace the neutrino’s origin and properties.
Advantages of Underwater Telescopes:
- Water scatters light less than ice, improving detection efficiency.
- KM3NeT’s underwater location offers dark and clear conditions for optimal neutrino observation.
Comparison with Ice Cube Observatory:
- KM3NeT operates in the sea, unlike Antarctica’s Ice Cube Observatory in ice.
- Both rely on Cherenkov radiation but differ in environmental conditions and light-scattering properties.
Significance:
- KM3NeT aims to enhance our understanding of cosmic phenomena and contribute to astrophysics by exploring high-energy neutrinos.
Reference: The Indian Express
