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The IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole uses nearly 100 holes drilled deep into the ice, each containing a string of basketball-sized light detectors that monitor for blue light flashes. These flashes occur when high-energy cosmic neutrinos from powerful astronomical sources collide with ice molecules, producing fast-moving secondary particles. IceCube has successfully detected numerous cosmic neutrinos, making it the largest neutrino detector ever constructed, and a founding leader of the collaboration was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for this work.
Why it matters
Neutrino detection provides a unique window into the universe's most extreme events, such as supernovae, black holes, and cosmic accelerators, since neutrinos can travel vast distances without being absorbed or deflected. This observatory enables scientists to study cosmic phenomena that are invisible to traditional telescopes, advancing our understanding of fundamental physics and high-energy astrophysical processes.
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Ice Fishing for Cosmic Neutrinos
Explanation: Scientists are melting holes in the bottom of the world. In fact, almost 100 holes melted near the South Pole are now being used as an astronomical observatory. Astronomers with the IceCube Neutrino Observatory lowered a long string knotted with basketball-sized light detectors into each vertical lake. The water in each hole soon refreezes. The detectors attached to the strings are sensitive to blue light emitted in the surrounding clear ice. Such light results from fast-moving secondary particles liberated when high-energy neutrinos emitted by powerful processes out in the universe collide with ice molecules. IceCube has now detected many illuminating neutrinos. Pictured in 2010, one of the last of IceCube’s detector strings is lowered into the freezing abyss, making IceCube the largest neutrino detector ever created. In recognition of unprecedented discoveries, it was announced earlier this week that a founding leader of the IceCube Collaboration will be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Tomorrow’s picture: Moons Planet
| Date: | October 11, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Credit: | NSF, B. Gudbjartsson, IceCube Collaboration |
| Authors & editors: | Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Keighley Rockcliffe |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |
Source: APOD: 2026 October 11 – Ice Fishing for Cosmic Neutrinos