Scientists from China have begun constructing a giant neutrino telescope in the South China Sea. The project, known as “Trident” or “Hailing” in Chinese, aims to unravel the mysteries of the origin of cosmic rays and explore the furthest reaches of the universe.
Upon its completion in 2030, Trident will claim the title of the world’s largest and most advanced neutrino telescope, according to the project team. The telescope will be installed on the seabed at a depth of 3.5 km in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. Its primary task is to scan the surrounding seawater for flashes of light that occur when cosmic neutrinos collide with water molecules.
By using the Earth as a shield, Trident will be capable of detecting neutrinos that pass through the planet, explained Shu Dunlyan from the University of Shanghai Jiaotun, the project’s lead scientist.
In addition to aiding in the search for the origin of cosmic radiation, the telescope will also contribute to studies on the symmetry of space and time, as well as the search for quantum gravity and indirect observations of dark matter.
Cosmic rays constantly bombard Earth’s atmosphere, but even a century after their discovery, scientists are still unsure of their source. However, cosmic rays also contain neutrinos, which are elusive subatomic particles that could serve as a powerful tool in unraveling the secrets of cosmic radiation.
The Chinese team claims that Trident will be significantly more sensitive than existing neutrino telescopes, boasting up to 10,000 times more capabilities than the IceCube Observatory located at the South Pole.
Trident, which is expected to operate for 20 years, consists of 1,200 vertical strings of sensors positioned on the seabed.
The pilot phase of the project is slated for completion by 2026 and is being funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Shanghai Government, and Shanghai University of Jiaotun.