In the context of modern scientific research, consider the following statements about ‘IceCube’, a particle detector located at South Pole, which was recently in the news :
- It is the world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice.
- It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter.
- It is buried deep in the ice.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
– Statement 2: While neutrinos are fundamental particles relevant to various areas of physics, including cosmology and potential dark matter interactions, IceCube is primarily designed as a neutrino *telescope* to study astrophysical sources of high-energy neutrinos (like supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, active galactic nuclei). Searching for dark matter is not its primary or stated main purpose.
– Statement 3: The detector sensors (Digital Optical Modules or DOMs) are lowered into holes drilled deep into the Antarctic ice, at depths between 1450 and 2450 meters, making this statement correct.