The Nobel Prize in Physics 2002

 

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2002
       
 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Davis and Koshiba found that the number of neutrinos detected from the sun was smaller than expected. It was as if they vanished en route! Their experiments were optimised for the detection of one of the three possible kinds of neutrino. Could the spontaneous transformation of one neutrino type be responsible for their observations? These so-called neutrino oscillations are only possible if the neutrino has mass. If this were true it would change our view of the universe’s evolution. Research in progress…

 


X-ray astronomy is a young science; many new discoveries have been made with a new generation of X-ray telescopes (e.g. Chandra from NASA, XMM-Newton from ESA).
A continued exploration of cosmic X-rays is necessary to extend our knowledge of collapsed massive objects, the origin and evolution of galaxies and galactic clusters, and dark matter. X-ray astronomy also offers promising possibilities to prove that black holes exist and to explore their nature. But this is another story and maybe even a new Nobel Prize in the future.

       

To cite this section
MLA style: The Nobel Prize in Physics 2002. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2024. Sun. 22 Dec 2024. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2002/9631-the-nobel-prize-in-physics-2002-2002-4/>

Back to top Back To Top Takes users back to the top of the page

Nobel Prizes and laureates

Six prizes were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The 12 laureates' work and discoveries range from proteins' structures and machine learning to fighting for a world free of nuclear weapons.

See them all presented here.

Illustration

Explore prizes and laureates

Look for popular awards and laureates in different fields, and discover the history of the Nobel Prize.