We, as human beings, need to be challenged constantly. We also need to make the most out of our opportunities and happiness every day. Sometimes, between all the political and personal problem, a little cosmic perspective never hurt anyone. Sometimes, we just need to look at the sky and think about our situation – we might see it from another perspective.
We don’t know everything about our Galaxy. We always ask questions, but the answers never come. However, we did find something. IceCube is the observatory that was built in 2010 and that helped in finding a neutrino to a galaxy which has a big black hole in its center.
Why are neutrinos important?
Neutrinos are those subatomic particles that have no mass and no electrical charge. Meaning that it’s very rare to find proof of their existence. This does not, however, entail that they’re rare – as trillions pass through us each second and leave no trace behind.
It doesn’t happen so often, but a neutrino will hit another particle and will create a marker. IceCube caught that moment, and scientists announced the other observatories of it. It’s good to remember that neutrinos go in a straight line at *almost* the speed of light, regardless of that they meet on their way.
Scientists still work to find out details about black holes and dark matter. Neutrinos are the ones which can give the researchers a tool for studying the cosmos. We should also mention the fact that there is a parallel international and intergalactic project which will give us the strongest radio telescope ever – it will be called Square Kilometre Array and it will have more than a million antennas.
We may not find the answers to fundamental questions, but we do have something: one step closer to getting to know the cosmos better.
As our second lead editor, Anna C. Mackinno provides guidance on the stories Great Lakes Ledger reporters cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Anna. Anna received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.