WHAT ARE NEUTRINOS?
"Your Neutrinos are drifting" - Star Trek
Of all the things that make up the universe, the commonest and most weird are neutrinos. They are so shy that half a century after their discovery we still know less about them than all the other varieties of matter that have ever been seen.
Some neutrinos are emitted by natural radioactivity in rocks, and some are the result of radioactivity in our own bodies, but most of those passing through the Earth were born in the heart of the Sun, less than 10 minutes ago. In just a few seconds, the Sun has emitted more neutrinos than there are grains of sand in the deserts and beaches of the whole world. Fortunately they are harmless: life has evolved within this particle storm.
Vaguely based on Neutrinos by Frank Close. 2010
Many Origins
We can originate from geologic, atmospheric, and solar environments.
Some of us are as old as the Big Bang
Super Eyes
If you could see with my eyes, night would be as bright as day.
Streamlined design
Almost zero mass for difficult detection.
I am different types
electron neutrino (νe), muon neutrino (νμ) and tau neutrino (ντ)
Useful
Since we are neutral particles, we travel in straight line, untouched by the magnetic fields of space. We can give you a different look to look at the universe.
Speed of Light boots
I travel at the speed of light. Since you entered this page, I was born in the Sun and running through you. By the time you finished, I will be in the boundaries of the Solar System.