For those of you with interest in particle physics and astrophysics, the
folks at Sudbury Neutrino Observatory have announced the results of
their latest round of solar neutrino research at
<http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/sno/press_release/press_04_02.html>.
Excerpts follow:
<<A team of scientists from Canada, the United States and the United
Kingdom today announced the results of a unique new measurement of the
total number of neutrinos of all known types reaching the Earth from the
Sun. Using data entirely from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) in
Canada they are also able to determine that the observed number of
electron neutrinos (the type produced by the Sun) is only a fraction of
the total number. This shows with great certainty that neutrinos from
the Sun change from one type to another before reaching the Earth.>>
<<The results presented today at the Joint American Physical
Society/American Astronomical Society meetings in Albuquerque, New
Mexico, show that the number of electron-neutrinos observed is only
about one third of the total number reaching the Earth. This shows
unambiguously that electron-neutrinos emitted by the Sun have changed to
muon- or tau-neutrinos before they reach Earth.>>
<<Dr. Andre Hamer of Los Alamos National Laboratory told the meeting,
"In order to make these measurements, we had to restrict the
radioactivity in the detector to minute levels and determine the
background effects very accurately to show clearly that we are observing
neutrinos from the Sun. The care taken throughout this experiment to
minimize radioactivity and the careful calibration and analysis of our
data has enabled us to make these neutrino measurements with great
accuracy.">>
Best wishes,
Larry
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Larry Cartwright <exit60@cablespeed.com>
Retired (June 2001) Physics Teacher
Charlotte MI 48813 USA
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"Information is not knowledge,
knowledge is not wisdom,
and wisdom is not foresight.
Each grows out of the other
and we need them all."
(Arthur C. Clarke)
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