'Ghost particles' from space telescope wins physics Nobel
Belgian physicist Francis Halzen has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his leadership in developing the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. The facility, located in Antarctica, uses ice sensors to detect high-energy neutrinos, providing new insights into cosmic events.
Why it matters
This research opens a new frontier in astronomy, allowing scientists to observe high-energy processes in distant galaxies that are invisible to traditional telescopes.
Image source, Yuya Makino/IceCube/NSF Image caption, Prof Francis Halzen won for "decisive contribution" to developing the IceCube Neutrino Observatory
Belgian physicist Prof Francis Halzen has won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work on an observatory that detects particles from space, shedding light on the distant universe.
Halzen led the development of IceCube at the South Pole, which uses a cubic kilometre of Antarctic ice fitted with light sensors to detect particles called neutrinos. These carry information about violent, high-energy processes in the cosmos.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said "his vision and scientific leadership have been fundamental for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory".
Halzen first presented his vision for detecting neutrinos at the South Pole in 1988.
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4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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