IceCube, Neutrinos, Kamioka Observatory, and All That

"For Kids: IceCube Science"
Science News (June 27, 2008)

Don't let the title fool you. Although a science-savvy child should be able to follow this article, it's got solid content for adults, too.

I enjoyed reading it, anyway.

Here's how the discussion of work at the Super-Kamiokande neutrino detector, Kamioka Observatory, ICRR (Institute for Cosmic Ray Research), University of Tokyo, the IceCube facility being built near the south pole, neutrinos, and neutrino observatories in general starts:

"To find some of the smallest things in the universe, scientists have to think big

"Francis Halzen has an unusual job. This scientist studies itsy bitsy, teeny tiny objects zipping through the universe. They’re called neutrinos.

"His job should be easy because neutrinos are all around us, all the time. They pass from the depths of outer space to the depths of your sock drawer — and then just keep going. And don’t even think about trying to count these super-tiny particles. The neutrinos flying around our universe outnumber all of the people, animals, plants, satellites, planets, stars, galaxies, black holes and asteroids combined.

"They’re also fast, traveling at almost the speed of light. In the time it took you to read the previous paragraph, more than a trillion neutrinos zoomed through you...."