Astroparticle physics
Encyclopedia
Astroparticle physics, the same as particle astrophysics, is that branch of particle physics
that studies elementary particles of astronomical origin, and their relation to astrophysics
and cosmology
. It is a relatively new field of research emerging at the intersection of particle physics, astronomy, and cosmology. Partly motivated by the historic discovery of neutrino oscillations, the field is undergoing remarkable development, both theoretically and experimentally, over the last decade.
Astroparticle physics aims to answer fundamental questions such as:
Its rapid development has led to the design of new types of infrastructure. In underground laboratories or with specially designed telescopes, antennas and satellite experiments, astroparticle physicists employ new detection methods to observe a wide range of cosmic particles including neutrinos, gamma rays and cosmic rays at the highest energies. They are also searching for dark matter
and gravitational waves.
The most active topics in astroparticle physics are
Facilities, experiments and laboratories involved in astroparticle physics include
Particle physics
Particle physics is a branch of physics that studies the existence and interactions of particles that are the constituents of what is usually referred to as matter or radiation. In current understanding, particles are excitations of quantum fields and interact following their dynamics...
that studies elementary particles of astronomical origin, and their relation to astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
and cosmology
Cosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
. It is a relatively new field of research emerging at the intersection of particle physics, astronomy, and cosmology. Partly motivated by the historic discovery of neutrino oscillations, the field is undergoing remarkable development, both theoretically and experimentally, over the last decade.
Astroparticle physics aims to answer fundamental questions such as:
- What is the UniverseUniverseThe Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
made of? - Does the proton decayProton decayIn particle physics, proton decay is a hypothetical form of radioactive decay in which the proton decays into lighter subatomic particles, such as a neutral pion and a positron...
? - What are the properties of neutrinoNeutrinoA neutrino is an electrically neutral, weakly interacting elementary subatomic particle with a half-integer spin, chirality and a disputed but small non-zero mass. It is able to pass through ordinary matter almost unaffected...
s? What is their role in cosmic evolution? - What do neutrinos tell us about the interior of Sun, Earth and Supernova explosions?
- What is the origin of cosmic rayCosmic rayCosmic rays are energetic charged subatomic particles, originating from outer space. They may produce secondary particles that penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and surface. The term ray is historical as cosmic rays were thought to be electromagnetic radiation...
s? - What is the view of the sky at extreme energies?
- What is the nature of gravitationGravitationGravitation, or gravity, is a natural phenomenon by which physical bodies attract with a force proportional to their mass. Gravitation is most familiar as the agent that gives weight to objects with mass and causes them to fall to the ground when dropped...
? Can we detect gravitational waveGravitational waveIn physics, gravitational waves are theoretical ripples in the curvature of spacetime which propagates as a wave, traveling outward from the source. Predicted to exist by Albert Einstein in 1916 on the basis of his theory of general relativity, gravitational waves theoretically transport energy as...
s? - What is the nature of Dark MatterDark matterIn astronomy and cosmology, dark matter is matter that neither emits nor scatters light or other electromagnetic radiation, and so cannot be directly detected via optical or radio astronomy...
? Can we detect it?
Its rapid development has led to the design of new types of infrastructure. In underground laboratories or with specially designed telescopes, antennas and satellite experiments, astroparticle physicists employ new detection methods to observe a wide range of cosmic particles including neutrinos, gamma rays and cosmic rays at the highest energies. They are also searching for dark matter
Dark matter
In astronomy and cosmology, dark matter is matter that neither emits nor scatters light or other electromagnetic radiation, and so cannot be directly detected via optical or radio astronomy...
and gravitational waves.
The most active topics in astroparticle physics are
- Gamma-ray astronomyGamma-ray astronomyGamma-ray astronomy is the astronomical study of the cosmos with gamma rays. Gamma-rays are the most energetic form of "light" that travel across the universe, and gamma-rays thus have the smallest wavelength of any wave in the electromagnetic spectrum.Gamma-rays are created by celestial events...
- NeutrinoNeutrinoA neutrino is an electrically neutral, weakly interacting elementary subatomic particle with a half-integer spin, chirality and a disputed but small non-zero mass. It is able to pass through ordinary matter almost unaffected...
s and Neutrino astronomyNeutrino astronomyNeutrino astronomy is the branch of astronomy that observes astronomical objects with neutrino detectors in special observatories. Nuclear reactions in stars and supernova explosions produce very large numbers of neutrinos, a very few of which may be detected by a neutrino telescope... - Magnetic monopoleMagnetic monopoleA magnetic monopole is a hypothetical particle in particle physics that is a magnet with only one magnetic pole . In more technical terms, a magnetic monopole would have a net "magnetic charge". Modern interest in the concept stems from particle theories, notably the grand unified and superstring...
s - AxionAxionThe axion is a hypothetical elementary particle postulated by the Peccei-Quinn theory in 1977 to resolve the strong CP problem in quantum chromodynamics...
s
Facilities, experiments and laboratories involved in astroparticle physics include
- CERN Axion Solar Telescope
- NESTOR ProjectNestor ProjectThe NESTOR Project is an international scientific collaboration whose target is the deployment of a neutrino telescope on the sea floor off Pylos, Greece.-Neutrino:...
- Laboratori Nazionali del Gran SassoLaboratori Nazionali del Gran SassoLaboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso is a particle physics laboratory of the INFN, situated near the Gran Sasso mountain in Italy, between the towns of L'Aquila and Teramo, about 120 km from Rome. In addition to a surface portion of the laboratory, there are extensive underground facilities...
- Aspera European Astroparticle networkAspera European Astroparticle networkASPERA is a network of national government agencies responsible for coordinating and funding national research efforts in Astroparticle Physics....
- SNOLABSnolabSNOLAB is a Canadian underground physics laboratory at a depth of 2 km in Sudbury, Ontario in Vale's Creighton nickel mine. The original Sudbury Neutrino Observatory experiment has ended, but the facilities have been expanded into a permanent underground laboratory.SNOLAB is the world's...
See also
- Astroparticle PhysicsAstroparticle physicsAstroparticle physics, the same as particle astrophysics, is that branch of particle physics that studies elementary particles of astronomical origin, and their relation to astrophysics and cosmology. It is a relatively new field of research emerging at the intersection of particle physics,...
, a journal published by Elsevier - Urca process
- Unsolved problems in physicsUnsolved problems in physicsThis is a list of some of the major unsolved problems in physics. Some of these problems are theoretical, meaning that existing theories seem incapable of explaining a certain observed phenomenon or experimental result...
External links
- Aspera European network portal
- www.astroparticle.org: all about astroparticle physics...
- Aspera news
- Astroparticle physics news on Twitter
- Virtual Institute of Astroparticle Physics
- UCLA Astro-Particle Physics at UCLA
- Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
- Astroparticle Physics in the Netherlands
- Astroparticle and High Energy Physics
- ASD: Astroparticle Physics Laboratory at NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...