Why Scientists Tracked One Neutrino Across the Universe

The video discusses a breakthrough in astrophysics where scientists have identified a potential source of high-energy neutrinos, solving a long-standing mystery about cosmic rays. These neutrinos, detected by the IceCube Observatory in Antarctica, were traced back to a blazar, a type of quasar, located four billion light-years away. This discovery highlights the potential of multi-messenger astronomy, which uses various cosmic messengers like neutrinos and gravitational waves to study astronomical phenomena. The findings open new avenues for understanding cosmic rays and the workings of blazars and black holes.

What is the significance of identifying the first astrophysical source of high-energy neutrinos?

• It solves the mystery of dark matter.

• It confirms the existence of parallel universes.

• It proves the Big Bang theory.

• It provides evidence for the source of certain cosmic rays.

Why is it difficult to trace cosmic rays back to their sources?

• They travel faster than light.

• They are too small to detect.

• They are electrically charged and affected by magnetic fields.

• They only come from the sun.

What makes neutrinos useful in identifying the sources of cosmic rays?

• They emit visible light.

• They are unaffected by magnetic fields.

• They are only found on Earth.

• They are larger than cosmic rays.

Where was the high-energy neutrino detected in 2017 traced back to?

• A supernova in the Milky Way.

• A black hole in the Andromeda Galaxy.

• A blazar four billion light years away.

• The center of the Earth.

What is a blazar?

• A small asteroid.

• A type of supernova.

• A quasar with a jet pointed towards Earth.

• A type of neutron star.

What is the chance that the detected neutrino events are unrelated to the blazar?

• One in 500

• One in 1000

• One in 5000

• One in 10000

What does multi-messenger astronomy involve?

• Studying only black holes.

• Using neutrinos, light, and gravitational waves to study objects.

• Observing only the sun.

• Using only light to study objects.