Physics@Noorderzon

At this year’s Noorderzon Festival in Groningen, researchers from Nikhef and VSI brought the invisible world of particle physics to life for a broad audience. Through a seminar and hands-on demonstrations, they gave the festival visitors an introduction to the universe’s tiniest building blocks.

Organized by Studium Generale Groningen, Daan van Eijk (Nikhef and guest lecturer at the University of Groningen) kicked off the session with an engaging talk about the highest energy neutrino ever detected. He shared insights into the KM3NeT neutrino telescope, located deep in the Mediterranean Sea, for which Nikhef is building key optical modules under his supervision.

Next, visitors were invited to build their own particle detectors – so-called cloud chambers – under the guidance of VSI researchers Kristof De Bruyn, Ann-Kathrin Perrevoort, and Andrej Sarnatskiy. These classic devices, developed in the 1930s, allow us to see the paths of subatomic particles with the naked eye – like tiny condensation trails drifting through mist.

The enthusiastic audience followed along attentively, and actively participated, expressing genuine appreciation for this encounter with real physics research.

More information and pictures?
The seminar's topic at Studium Generale Groningen
Pictures of the session at the Noorderzon website