Scientists have detected the highest -energy neutrino observed to date. This mysterious particle, with 220 PEV (220 x 1015 or 220 million electron volts) energy, was recorded by a detector in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea in February 2023.

This event, called KM3-230213A, is considered as direct proof of one of the most violent processes of the universe. Researchers say that the presence of such a high -energy neutrinone is definitely confirmed for the first time. The detection was made by the Astroparticle Research with Cosmics in the ABYSS (Arca) within the Astroparticle Research with Cosmics in the Cubic Kilometer Neutrino Telescope (KM3NET), which is located 80 kilometers off from the coast of Sicilia, 3450 meters deep in the Mediterranean Sea.

Paschal Coele of the French National Scientific Research Center (CNRS), Paschal Coule, said, “The first time a neutrino with hundreds of pev -energy neutrino first opens a new page in neutrino astronomy and offers a brand new window to observe the universe”.

The ghost particles of the universe

Neutrinos are one of the most mysterious basic particles in the universe. Although they are the second most common particle in the universe after the photons, they do not have electrical loads, their masses are almost zero and they interact with the substance. However, these features turn them into unique messengers to understand the most energetic and violent events of the universe. Events such as supernovas, black holes and gamma beam explosions can accelerate cosmic rays and cause such neutrinos to form.

KM3net is a huge neutrino telescope built in the deep seas and will reach one kilometer volume when completed. Since neutrinos interact with substance very weakly, the size of the detector is critical in capturing these particles.

The telescope detects these particles by capturing the Çerenkov radiation (a blue glare) formed by neutrinos interacting with water. This ultra -high energy neutrino may either come directly from a direct powerful cosmic source or the first cosmogenic neutrino formed by cosmic rays interacting with the background of the cosmic microwave. However, it is not possible to reach a definite conclusion with a single event for the time being. Scientists aim to determine the source by detecting such neutrinos more.