Nobelul pentru Fizică 2026 merge la Francis Halzen, omul de știință care a transformat gheața Antarcticii într-un observator al Universului

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Francis Halzen for his pivotal role in developing the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and discovering high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. Halzen's innovative idea from 1988 involved using Antarctic ice to detect neutrinos, elusive particles that rarely interact with matter. The IceCube facility, completed in 2011, employs a cubic kilometer of ice and optical sensors to capture rare neutrino events. This groundbreaking work has enabled scientists to identify neutrinos from beyond the Solar System, providing insights into cosmic phenomena. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences praised Halzen's scientific vision and leadership in realizing the IceCube project, which continues to enhance our understanding of extreme cosmic environments.