Core Viewpoint - The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) has successfully completed the infusion of 20,000 tons of liquid scintillator and has officially begun data collection, aiming to address significant issues in particle physics over the next decade, particularly the mass ordering of neutrinos [1]. Group 1 - The JUNO detector is located 700 meters underground near Jiangmen, Guangdong, and can detect neutrinos from the Taishan and Yangjiang nuclear power plants located 53 kilometers away, measuring their energy spectrum with unprecedented precision [2]. - Compared to international counterparts, JUNO's measurement of mass ordering is unaffected by terrestrial material effects and other unknown neutrino oscillation parameters, significantly improving the precision of three out of six neutrino oscillation parameters [2]. - The experiment will enable cutting-edge research on neutrinos from various sources, including the sun, supernovae, atmosphere, and Earth, and will open new avenues for exploring unknown physics, including searches for sterile neutrinos and proton decay [2]. Group 2 - The core detector of JUNO is a 20,000-ton liquid scintillator detector, situated in a 44-meter deep water pool, supported by a 41.1-meter diameter stainless steel mesh shell, housing numerous critical components including a 35.4-meter diameter acrylic sphere and thousands of photomultiplier tubes [4]. - The photomultiplier tubes work in unison to detect scintillation light produced by neutrino interactions with the liquid scintillator, converting it into electrical signals for output [4][6]. - JUNO is designed for a lifespan of 30 years and can later be upgraded to become the world's most sensitive experiment for neutrinoless double beta decay, which will probe the absolute mass of neutrinos and test whether they are Majorana particles, addressing key challenges in particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology [7].

Core Insights - The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) has officially begun data collection as of August 26, 2023, after over a decade of construction, aiming to address significant questions in particle physics, particularly the mass ordering of neutrinos [2][4]. Group 1: Project Overview - The JUNO facility is located 700 meters underground in Jiangmen, Guangdong, featuring a 35-meter diameter acrylic sphere designed to detect neutrinos, often referred to as "ghost particles" due to their elusive nature [2][4]. - The observatory's core detector contains 20,000 tons of liquid scintillator and is equipped with tens of thousands of photomultiplier tubes to capture faint light signals generated by neutrino interactions [4][5]. Group 2: Scientific Goals - JUNO aims to provide high-precision measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters and explore various astrophysical phenomena, including supernovae and solar neutrinos, thereby addressing unresolved mysteries in particle physics [4][5]. - The project is expected to have a lifespan of 30 years, with potential upgrades to conduct experiments on neutrinoless double beta decay, which could reveal the absolute mass of neutrinos and determine if they are Majorana particles [5]. Group 3: Collaborative Efforts - The project is led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, involving approximately 700 researchers from 17 countries and regions, marking a significant international collaboration in the field of neutrino research [5].

Core Insights - The Jiangmen Neutrino Experiment (JUNO) has officially commenced data collection, aiming to address significant questions in particle physics, particularly the mass ordering of neutrinos [1][2] - Neutrinos are fundamental particles that are abundant in the universe but are difficult to detect due to their weak interaction with matter [1] - The experiment is a continuation of China's efforts in neutrino research, following the Daya Bay experiment, and is expected to enhance the understanding of neutrino oscillation parameters and other astrophysical phenomena [1][2] Experiment Details - The core detector of the JUNO is a 35-meter diameter acrylic sphere filled with 20,000 tons of liquid scintillator, equipped with thousands of photomultiplier tubes to detect faint light signals produced by neutrino interactions [2] - The construction of the detector involved significant challenges, including the precise control of water levels and flow rates to ensure stability and safety [2] - The experiment is a collaboration involving approximately 700 researchers from 17 countries and regions, marking it as a large-scale scientific endeavor [2] Future Prospects - The JUNO is designed for a lifespan of 30 years, with potential upgrades to conduct double beta decay experiments, which could provide insights into the absolute mass of neutrinos and their nature as Majorana particles [2]

Core Insights - The Jiangmen Neutrino Experiment (JUNO) has officially begun data collection, aiming to address significant questions in particle physics, particularly the mass ordering of neutrinos [1][2] - This facility, located 700 meters underground, features a large organic glass sphere designed to detect elusive neutrinos, which are fundamental particles that interact very weakly with matter [1][3] Group 1: Experiment Overview - The JUNO experiment is equipped with a core detector containing 20,000 tons of liquid scintillator, surrounded by thousands of photomultiplier tubes to capture faint light signals generated by neutrino interactions [3] - The construction of this high-precision detector involved significant challenges, including the successful infusion of over 60,000 tons of ultra-pure water within 45 days, ensuring stability and safety of the detector structure [3] Group 2: Research Goals and Future Plans - The experiment aims not only to determine the mass ordering of neutrinos but also to measure neutrino oscillation parameters with higher precision and explore various astrophysical phenomena, including supernovae and solar neutrinos [2][4] - Designed for a lifespan of 30 years, JUNO has the potential for upgrades to investigate neutrinoless double beta decay, which could provide insights into the absolute mass of neutrinos and their nature as Majorana particles [4]

Core Insights - The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) has officially begun data collection as of August 26, 2023, after over ten years of construction, aiming to address significant questions in particle physics, particularly the mass ordering of neutrinos [1][3]. Group 1: Project Overview - The JUNO facility is located 700 meters underground in Jiangmen, Guangdong, featuring a large organic glass sphere with a diameter exceeding 35 meters designed to capture elusive neutrinos, often referred to as "ghost particles" [1][3]. - Neutrinos are fundamental particles that are abundant in the universe but interact very weakly with matter, making them difficult to detect. The first detection of neutrinos occurred in 1956, marking the beginning of their study in physics [3][5]. Group 2: Technological Features - The core detector of JUNO contains 20,000 tons of liquid scintillator housed within the organic glass sphere, equipped with tens of thousands of photomultiplier tubes to detect faint light signals produced by neutrino interactions [5]. - The construction of this high-precision detector involved significant challenges, including the successful filling of over 60,000 tons of ultra-pure water within 45 days, ensuring the stability and safety of the detector's structure [5]. Group 3: Research Goals and Collaborations - JUNO aims not only to determine the mass ordering of neutrinos but also to measure neutrino oscillation parameters with higher precision and explore various astrophysical phenomena, including supernovae and solar neutrinos [3][6]. - The project is led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with collaboration from approximately 700 researchers across 17 countries and regions, marking a significant international effort in neutrino research [5][6]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The JUNO facility is designed for a lifespan of 30 years, with potential upgrades to conduct experiments on neutrinoless double beta decay, which could provide insights into the absolute mass of neutrinos and their nature as Majorana particles [6].