A glimmer of hope emerges in Africa's quest for dark matter detection.
In the depths of the Du Toitskloof mountain near Cape Town, a groundbreaking project is underway that could shed light on one of the universe's greatest mysteries - dark matter. The Paarl Africa Underground Laboratory (PAUL) project, conceived over a decade ago by nuclear physicist Shaun Wyngaardt, is set to become Africa's first dedicated underground physics laboratory.
With the aim of enabling physics researchers in southern Africa to participate in the global hunt for dark matter, PAUL will join the ranks of a select few underground labs worldwide that study the elusive interactions between neutrinos and unknown dark matter particles. These neutrinos, often referred to as 'ghost particles', are incredibly light and challenging to observe due to their unique properties.
The support for this ambitious project comes from prominent figures in the field, including Faïrouz Malek from CERN and the National Institute for Nuclear and Particle Physics in France. Malek emphasizes the importance of collaboration and international cooperation in advancing scientific research, pointing out the significance of Africa's participation in global discussions on particle physics.
Driven by the vision of establishing a scientific culture of cooperation across the continent, Malek co-founded the African Strategy for Fundamental and Applied Physics (ASFAP) in 2019. This initiative aims to foster partnerships between African countries and the international scientific community, propelling Africa to the forefront of cutting-edge research in physics.
The road to realizing the PAUL project has been paved with challenges and milestones. From securing seed funding for feasibility studies to garnering support from key stakeholders like the South African Department of Science and Innovation and Stellenbosch University, the journey has been a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the scientific community involved.
As plans for the underground laboratory take shape, the Du Toits Kloof mountains stand as a beacon of hope, shielding PAUL from cosmic radiation and paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in the realm of dark matter. With the promise of a new frontier in physics research on the horizon, Africa's scientific community stands poised to make a significant impact on our understanding of the universe's most enigmatic phenomena.
Amidst the shadows of uncertainty, a chink of light emerges in Africa's dark matter search, illuminating a path towards unlocking the mysteries of the cosmos in the heart of the continent.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d44148-024-00082-1
With the aim of enabling physics researchers in southern Africa to participate in the global hunt for dark matter, PAUL will join the ranks of a select few underground labs worldwide that study the elusive interactions between neutrinos and unknown dark matter particles. These neutrinos, often referred to as 'ghost particles', are incredibly light and challenging to observe due to their unique properties.
The support for this ambitious project comes from prominent figures in the field, including Faïrouz Malek from CERN and the National Institute for Nuclear and Particle Physics in France. Malek emphasizes the importance of collaboration and international cooperation in advancing scientific research, pointing out the significance of Africa's participation in global discussions on particle physics.
Driven by the vision of establishing a scientific culture of cooperation across the continent, Malek co-founded the African Strategy for Fundamental and Applied Physics (ASFAP) in 2019. This initiative aims to foster partnerships between African countries and the international scientific community, propelling Africa to the forefront of cutting-edge research in physics.
The road to realizing the PAUL project has been paved with challenges and milestones. From securing seed funding for feasibility studies to garnering support from key stakeholders like the South African Department of Science and Innovation and Stellenbosch University, the journey has been a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the scientific community involved.
As plans for the underground laboratory take shape, the Du Toits Kloof mountains stand as a beacon of hope, shielding PAUL from cosmic radiation and paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in the realm of dark matter. With the promise of a new frontier in physics research on the horizon, Africa's scientific community stands poised to make a significant impact on our understanding of the universe's most enigmatic phenomena.
Amidst the shadows of uncertainty, a chink of light emerges in Africa's dark matter search, illuminating a path towards unlocking the mysteries of the cosmos in the heart of the continent.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d44148-024-00082-1
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