summary of india based neutrino observatory
Answers
India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is a particle physics research project under construction to primarily study atmospheric neutrinos in a 1,200 meters (3,900 ft)[1] deep cave under INO Peak near Theni, Tamil Nadu, India. This project is notable in that it is anticipated to provide a precise measurement of neutrino mixing parameters. The project is a multi-institute collaboration and one of the biggest experimental particle physics projects undertaken in India.
The project was originally to be completed in 2015 at an estimated cost of ₹1,500 crores(₹15 billion or US$209.7 million), has been cleared by the Ministry of Environment (India) for construction in the Bodi West Hills Reserved Forest in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. Although delayed, the project is underway as of 2015.
When completed, the main magnetised iron calorimeter (ICAL) experiment will include the world's largest magnet, four times larger than the 12,500-tonne magnet in the Compact Muon Solenoid detector at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.
An India based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is going to be set up in Bodi West Hills, in Theni district, Tamil Nadu.
Key Points
About
INO Project is a multi-institutional effort aimed at building a world-class underground laboratory with a rock cover of approx. 1200 m for non-accelerator based high energy and nuclear physics research in India.
National Neutrino Collaboration group (NNCG): It includes more than 50 scientists from about 15 Institutes and Universities in India and is tasked with detailing various aspects related to INO activity and come up with a proposal for an underground neutrino laboratory.
Funded by
Dept. of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Dept. of Science and Technology (DST).
Objectives: INO will observe neutrinos and antineutrinos produced in the atmosphere of the Earth.
Over the years this underground facility is expected to develop into a full-fledged underground science laboratory for other studies in physics, biology, geology, hydrology etc.
Features
The project includes
Underground laboratory and associated surface facilities at Bodi West Hills.
Construction of a magnetized Iron Calorimeter (ICAL) detector for studying neutrinos.
When completed, ICAL will have the world's largest magnet.
Setting up Inter Institutional Centre for High Energy Physics (IICHEP) at Madurai
Advantages
This observation will tell us more about the properties of neutrino particles, whose main source is the Sun and the Earth's atmosphere.
This will also help in developing a model of physics beyond the so-called Standard Model of Particle Physics.
The Standard Model of particle physics is the theory describing three of the four known fundamental forces (the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions, and not including the gravitational force) in the universe, as well as classifying all known elementary particles i.e. electrons, protons and neutrons.
It would also have a great impact on diverse fields such as nuclear and particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology, medical imaging etc.
Issues Involved
The project was challenged before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for adversely affecting the ecosystem of Western Ghats. However , it was granted environmental clearance by NGT.
The villagers in the Pottipuram Panchayat (at Bodi West Hills) have been agitating against the proposed observatory under the banner of Poovulagin Nanbargal (Friends of the earth).