Francis Halzen, a Belgian-born American scientist, has won the Nobel Prize in Physics.
According to international media reports, the Nobel jury stated that Francis Halzen was recognized for his work with the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, which detects mysterious, elusive particles arriving from space. The award was conferred for the discovery of neutrinos—astronomical particles that are nearly impossible to observe.
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“Francis Halzen led an international team of researchers and engineers who developed a remarkable instrument. His perseverance and scientific insight have paved the way for a new kind of astronomy.”
— Mark Pearce, Chair of the Nobel Committee for PhysicsThe 82-year-old, Belgian-born scientist is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States.
The Nobel jury noted that Francis Halzen also played a pivotal role in establishing the astronomical observatory in Antarctica.
Halzen’s research regarding the discovery and detection of neutrinos at the South Pole has been ongoing since the 1980s.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award in Stockholm.
The Nobel Prize ceremony will take place on December 10 in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Each prize comes with a cash award of 12 million Swedish kronor.
Why it matters: This recognition highlights the importance of neutrino astronomy and the decades of research at the South Pole. Halzen’s work opens a new window into the universe, allowing scientists to observe cosmic events that were previously invisible.
