Chinese scientists have deployed specialized detectors deep in the South China Sea as part of efforts to explore the feasibility of constructing a large underwater observatory, according to a report by SCMP. The objective is to detect neutrinos—extremely small and nearly invisible particles originating from space—that could provide insights into the origins of the universe.
The project, led by the Institute of High Energy Physics in Beijing, saw researchers using the deep-sea submersible Shenhai Yongshi (Deep-Sea Warrior) last month to place the equipment at a depth of 5,250 feet.
This system comprises highly sensitive detectors along with a specially designed LED light source for calibration, ensuring precision in measurements. The detectors have been integrated into China’s national underwater scientific observation network, which supplies them with power and enables data transmission.
Scientists are now monitoring the detectors for faint flashes of light, which occur when neutrinos pass through the deep ocean, SCMP reported.
Neutrinos
Neutrinos, often called “ghost particles,” are subatomic particles that move through space with almost no interaction with their surroundings. They effortlessly pass through planets, people, and even solid rock as if nothing were there.
Scientists find neutrinos particularly intriguing because they can help identify the origins of cosmic rays—high-energy radiation that originates from deep space. These rays are associated with extreme cosmic events, such as supernovae (exploding stars) and galaxy collisions.
Unlike other space particles, neutrinos are not influenced by magnetic fields, allowing them to travel in straight lines from their source. This makes them valuable “messengers” from the most distant parts of the universe, aiding scientists in mapping the origins of cosmic rays.
Largest Neutrino observatory
The detectors deployed in the South China Sea are part of an ambitious initiative to develop the High-energy Underwater Neutrino Telescope (HUNT). If successfully built, it will become the world’s largest underwater neutrino observatory, spanning an immense 30 cubic kilometers.
According to the Beijing institute, “The stable operation of the prototype detectors marks a significant step forward in our preliminary research for the HUNT project. Once complete, it will position China at the forefront of neutrino astronomy.”
Hunt for Ghost Particles
China is not alone in the race to detect neutrinos. Other major observatories include:
- Baikal-GVD (Russia) – Situated in Lake Baikal, covering 0.5 cubic kilometers.
- IceCube (Antarctica) – A frozen observatory extending under 1 cubic kilometer of ice.
Both facilities are undergoing expansions to reach 8 cubic kilometers, but Chinese researchers argue that at least 30 cubic kilometers are required for reliable results.
In addition to HUNT, China is also developing another neutrino detection project, Trident (Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope). Led by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Trident has been testing detectors at a depth of 3,500 meters since 2021 and aims to establish an 8-cubic-kilometer observatory, according to SCMP.
More than a dozen Chinese universities and research institutes are contributing to HUNT’s feasibility study, including Ocean University of China, the Institute of Acoustics in Beijing, and the University of Science and Technology of China. Scientists hope that once fully operational, these deep-sea telescopes will successfully capture neutrinos from space.