Scientists Now Have the Most Detailed Picture Yet of the Neutrino Factory Inside Our Sun

[Judi Lynn]

By Adam Mann, Live Science Contributor | October 26, 2018 12:00pm ET

- click for image -

https://img.purch.com/h/1400/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zcGFjZS5jb20vaW1hZ2VzL2kvMDAwLzA4MC8yNjgvb3JpZ2luYWwvYm9yZXhpbm8taW5zdHJ1bWVudC5qcGc=

The Borexino instrument is nestled deep beneath Italy's Appenine mountains. Flashes of light within its massive detector reveal when neutrinos bang into electrons. By painstakingly compiling data on these neutrino-electron collisions over 10 years, scientists have created one of the most detailed snapshots yet of the sun's fiery heart.
Credit: Borexino

Why does the sun shine?

Our local star constantly smashes atoms together deep inside its fiery belly to produce its blazing light. But because this internal commotion lies hidden beneath the sun's thick outer layers, scientists have few ways to learn about what goes on at the star's core.

But by collecting neutrinos — tiny, ghostly particles that barely interact with other matter and so can fly directly out from the sun’s center— researchers have produced one of the most detailed snapshots ever compiled of the sun's mysterious interior.

More:
https://www.space.com/42255-most-detailed-picture-sun-neutrinos.html