NEUTRINOS
(GHOST PARTICLE) - SCI & TECH
News: 'First ghost particle' image of the
Milky Way galaxy
What's
in the news?
●
The Milky
Way galaxy has long been observed through the various frequencies of
electromagnetic radiation it emits.
Key
takeaways:
●
Scientists have now revealed a uniquely
different image of our galaxy by determining the galactic origin of thousands
of neutrinos - invisible 'ghost particles' which exist in great quantities but normally pass straight through earth
undetected.
●
This neutrino-based image is the first of
its kind - a galactic portrait made with particles of matter rather than
electromagnetic energy.
Neutrinos:
●
Neutrinos are fundamental particles that
are similar to electrons but have no
electric charge.
●
They are one of the most abundant
particles in the universe, but they are also one of the most difficult to
detect because they interact only very
weakly with matter.
●
The neutrino has a very little mass and a spin ½.
Origin:
●
Neutrinos are created in a variety of natural processes, including
○
beta decay of atomic nuclei or hadrons.
○
natural
nuclear reactions such as those that take place in the core of a star.
○
artificial nuclear reactions in nuclear
reactors, nuclear bombs, or particle accelerators.
○
during a supernova.
○
during the spin-down of a neutron star.
○
when cosmic rays or accelerated particle
beams strike atoms.
●
They are also produced in particle
accelerators and nuclear reactors.
Types
Of Neutrinos:
●
There are three types of neutrinos such as
○
Electron neutrino (associated with the
electron)
○
Muon neutrino
○
Tau neutrino