China's pioneering Hailing deep-sea neutrino detector is poised to unlock cosmic mysteries from the ocean floor after successfully completing critical sea trials this month. The project, whose name translates to "ocean bell," aims to capture neutrinos – subatomic particles so elusive they’re dubbed "ghost particles" – that carry untapped secrets about supernovae, black holes, and the universe’s origins.
Neutrinos pass through ordinary matter at nearly light speed, with trillions streaming through human bodies every second. Their weak interactions make detection extraordinarily difficult, but the Hailing team leverages the South China Sea’s depths as a natural filter. At 3,500 meters below sea level, seawater shields detectors from surface interference, creating a pristine environment to spot rare particle collisions.
"This year marks a turning point," said project lead Dr. Wei Lin during a recent briefing. "By deploying photodetectors via specialized buoy carriers next year, we’ll effectively turn the ocean into a giant telescope." The Hailing will complement China’s Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), forming a dual-axis approach to neutrino research.
Scientists anticipate the $250 million project could yield breakthroughs in astrophysics by 2027, with potential applications in quantum computing and materials science. As global interest grows, China’s investment positions it at the forefront of this niche but transformative field.
