The ghost particle: searching for the mysterious neutrino - with James Riordon

What's the history and science behind the pursuit of the ghostly subatomic particle, the neutrino?

This lecture was recorded on 17 August 2023.

With approximately 100 trillion neutrinos passing through us every second, these particles hold the key to unlocking some of the Universe's greatest mysteries. From the discovery of neutrinos and their role in illuminating the Universe through neutrino telescopes to the challenges of detecting this elusive particle, this lecture explores the science behind the ghost particle.

Additionally, we will explore the potential of neutrinos to answer some of the biggest questions in the universe, including the composition of dark matter and the Universe's origin. This is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the science behind the neutrino and its impact on our understanding of the cosmos.

00:00 A revolution in astronomy
4:58 What exactly is a neutrino?
6:13 Where do neutrinos come from?
8:55 Nils Bohr and the Beta decay conundrum
12:14 Hans Bethe and the invisible particle solution
15:24 How NOT to find a neutrino
21:27 On the hunt for solar neutrinos
25:48 Three flavours of neutrinos
28:16 Neutrino oscillation and how it works
31:18 Probing the inside of the earth
34:47 Using neutrinos for astronomy
38:47 Matter over Antimatter
46:09 Could aliens communicate using neutrinos?
52:50 Looking at the birth of the universe

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James Riordon is a science journalist who has written for Science News, Scientific American, New Scientist, Popular Science, Washington Post, Science, Ad Astra, Physics Today, and Analytical Chemistry. He is a past President of the DC Science Writers Association and Cofounder of the Southwest Science Writers Association.

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[Vazmenko]

Outstanding lecture for "only a journalist". Thank you Sir!

[michaelc.tiberio]

I am saddened that the lecture Q&A videos have moved behind a pay wall. It seems counter to the RI mission of "connecting as many people as possible with the world of science."

I hope they will reconsider.

[keep-ukraine-free]

A superb talk on a topic very rarely discussed with the public. Lucidly explained, with engaging examples - e.g. of neutrino oscillations. Much thanks to James Riordon and RI.

[lawrencegoldworm]

Mr. Riordan talk is very elucidating. I learned a lot about the possibilities for exploration of the universe that neutrinos may provide. Thank you!

[epleace]

Beautifully presented, sir. You have a gift for explaining difficult stuff. Thank you.

[karloslim]

Great talk on these mysterious particles. Neutrino astronomy has huge potential to tell us things that light simply cant. Exciting stuff

[Intervaloverdose]

Excellent, I hung on every word! Now I'm a huge neutrino fan too!! #ScienceCommunicator

[jorymil]

The central idea of Andy Weir's _Project Hail Mary_ depends on neutrinos being their own antiparticle. Very cool.

[DeAlpineBro]

Thank you for mentioning Ray Davis and John Bahcall. I saw a documentary on their experiment decades ago and have wondered why they were never mentioned again as neutrino science advanced.

[Rebar_real]

Neutrinos cause memory bit-flips that cause random glitches in old video games. "Cosmic ray bit flips" is neat reading.

Interesting talk!

[psyboyo]

I thought it was quite interesting, to watch this lecture, the point of view of a journalist, a man that shows to be very passionate about this like us all. In a way, he mirrors our desire to know more, our, us, we the people that the destiny didn't lead into scientific research, but nevertheless, marvelled by it. Saying this man should never been there, should sadden us all. We love science, seeing this mans passion right there, it could be us, amongst our family and friends. If one spoken word is not accurate, and we know it so, we think to ourselves, that was not accurate, but... realize I knew that! We could be that Man right there, using his passion, to spark ours. Love to all, happy holidays! 😽

[RFC]

The real question is: as a neutrino decays, does it turn into an oldtrino?

[johncooper]

I really enjoyed going to Homestake Mine Visitors Center in Lead, SD a few weeks ago. They have exhibits about Dr. Davis and the current experiments that are going on in addition to the history of the mine.

[lu-ufzj]

47:20 - the collapsed detector was at Arecibo in Puerto Rico

[DonnyHooterHoot]

How could you ever communicate with a system with such high error rates? Only 1 data bit would be detected for every 100, 000, 000, 000 misses? Even just turning off and on ala binary would never work because of missing bits. Great speech.

[stevepartridge]

Excellent talk. Nice clear presentation.

[dr.rakeshkumarmishra]

Great lecturer legend science journalist

[zyxzevn]

Are neutrinos waves, like photons are EM waves? And how do we know?
Note: The neutrino-oscillations seem similar to how light "oscillates" from electric to magnetic and back.

[PurnamadaPurnamidam]

Neutrinos mysterious as Ettore Majoranna 😊

[dr.rakeshkumarmishra]

Great analysis of neutrino ❤great lecturer