Ghost Particle
In Search of the Elusive and Mysterious Neutrino
By Alan Chodos, James Riordon | Publisher: MIT Press
About the book
The fascinating story of science in pursuit of the ghostly, ubiquitous subatomic particle—the neutrino.
Isaac Asimov is said to have observed of the neutrino: “The only reason scientists suggested its existence was their need to make calculations come out even. And yet the nothing-particle was not a nothing at all.” In fact, as one of the most enigmatic and most populous particles in the universe—about 100 trillion are flying through you every second—the neutrino may hold the clues to some of our deepest cosmic mysteries. In Ghost Particle, Alan Chodos and James Riordon recount the dramatic history of the neutrino—from the initial suggestion that the particle was merely a desperate solution to a puzzle that threatened to undermine the burgeoning field of particle physics to its modern role in illuminating the universe via neutrino telescopes.
Alan Chodos and James Riordon are deft and engaging guides as they conduct readers through the experiences of intrepid scientists and the challenges they faced, and continue to face, in their search for the ghostly neutrino. Along the way, the authors provide expert insight into the significance of neutrino research from the particle’s first, momentous discovery to recent, revolutionary advances in neutrino detection and astronomy. Chodos and Riordon describe how neutrinos may soon provide clues to some of the biggest questions we encounter today, including how to understand the dark matter that makes up most of the universe—and why anything exists in the universe at all.
Editions of Ghost Particle
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780262047876
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780262373562
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780262551007
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262373555
Read an Excerpt
The fascinating story of science in pursuit of the ghostly, ubiquitous subatomic particle—the neutrino.
Isaac Asimov is said to have observed of the neutrino: “The only reason scientists suggested its existence was their need to make calculations come out even. And yet the nothing-particle was not a nothing at all.” In fact, as one of the most enigmatic and most populous particles in the universe—about 100 trillion are flying through you every second—the neutrino may hold the clues to some of our deepest cosmic mysteries. In Ghost Particle, Alan Chodos and James Riordon recount the dramatic history of the neutrino—from the initial suggestion that the particle was merely a desperate solution to a puzzle that threatened to undermine the burgeoning field of particle physics to its modern role in illuminating the universe via neutrino telescopes.
Alan Chodos and James Riordon are deft and engaging guides as they conduct readers through the experiences of intrepid scientists and the challenges they faced, and continue to face, in their search for the ghostly neutrino. Along the way, the authors provide expert insight into the significance of neutrino research from the particle’s first, momentous discovery to recent, revolutionary advances in neutrino detection and astronomy. Chodos and Riordon describe how neutrinos may soon provide clues to some of the biggest questions we encounter today, including how to understand the dark matter that makes up most of the universe—and why anything exists in the universe at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ghost Particle about?
The fascinating story of science in pursuit of the ghostly, ubiquitous subatomic particle—the neutrino.
Isaac Asimov is said to have observed of the neutrino: “The only reason scientists suggested its existence was their need to make calculations come out even. And yet the nothing-particle was not a nothing at all.” In fact, as one of the most enigmatic and most populous particles in the universe—about 100 trillion are flying through you every second—the neutrino may hold the clues to some of our deepest cosmic mysteries. In Ghost Particle, Alan Chodos and James Riordon recount the dramatic history of the neutrino—from the initial suggestion that the particle was merely a desperate solution to a puzzle that threatened to undermine the burgeoning field of particle physics to its modern role in illuminating the universe via neutrino telescopes.
Alan Chodos and James Riordon are deft and engaging guides as they conduct readers through the experiences of intrepid scientists and the challenges they faced, and continue to face, in their search for the ghostly neutrino. Along the way, the authors provide expert insight into the significance of neutrino research from the particle’s first, momentous discovery to recent, revolutionary advances in neutrino detection and astronomy. Chodos and Riordon describe how neutrinos may soon provide clues to some of the biggest questions we encounter today, including how to understand the dark matter that makes up most of the universe—and why anything exists in the universe at all.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Ghost Particle?
Mathematics and Science > Physics > Particle and high-energy physics
Where can I read a sample of Ghost Particle?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262047876
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Ghost Particle?
Alan Chodos, James Riordon
Who is the Publisher of the book Ghost Particle?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Ghost Particle is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780262047876) and hardcover(ISBN 9780262373562) and paperback(ISBN 9780262551007) and ebook(ISBN 9780262373555)
Where can I buy Ghost Particle online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Ghost Particle?