IceCube

The IceCube neutrino observatory is a large collaboration of about 250 scientists who have built and are now using the IceCube telescope to detect ultra-high energy neutrinos. IceCube consists of about 5,000 modules and has been completely deployed and taking data at the South Pole since 2011. The Penn State group plays a leading role in the analysis of data from IceCube's DeepCore low energy extension, which permits study of neutrino oscillations in the 10-100 GeV energy range using the atmospheric neutrino flux, and indirect searches for dark matter.

Our goal is to gain information about the universe around us through the detection of these neutrinos.  Neutrinos are unique in that they can traverse long distances without being deflected, scattered or absorbed by interstellar magnetic fields, starlight or dust. Therefore, they should be able to give us accurate information about what is going on in the distant reaches of the cosmos and in the hearts of the most violent astrophysical objects.

An illustration of the IceCube Array can be viewed here.