What is (astro)particle physics?
Particle physics is a discipline in which enormous detectors are used for the analysis of miniscule particles. Particle accelerators form the basis for this research discipline. When particles such as protons are accelerated and then allowed to collide with other particles, a lot of energy is released to make other new particles in accordance with Einstein's E=mc2.
Various accelerators have been built for this purpose on Earth; in Hamburg at DESY, in Geneva at CERN, and in Chicago at the Fermilab. Such accelerators are also present in the cosmos and these are being used more often now, as a welcome addition to what is artificially possible on earth. Astroparticle physics bridges the gap between physics and astronomy.
In addition to the various experiments performed, a theory group thinks and calculates with the experimental physicists. The support departments for the construction and implementation of the detection methods and data analysis are also continually developing new techniques.
- Visualisations, top: this is what the Higgs particle looks like in the LHC (particle physics). Right: cosmic radiation measured at the Pierre Auger Observatory (astroparticle physics).
Building blocks
At present we know that molecules consist of atoms which in turn are divisible (even though atomos means 'indivisible' in Greek). Protons, neutrons and electrons form atoms. Electrons cannot be split any further but protons and neutrons can; these are made up of a combination of different types of quarks and gluons. In addition to these building blocks, particles also have anti-particles that form antimatter. Anti-electrons are called positrons and all quarks have an antiparticle as well.
How do we investigate these minuscule particles? Enormous particle accelerators are needed to perform such research on Earth. An accelerator is in effect a microscope, and the smaller the things we want to observe, the larger the microscope and its lenses need to be. Accelerators are already present in the cosmos and therefore for astrophysical research we 'only' need to construct the right detectors in order to carry out research.
