Colloquium
Latest Neutrino Achievements and Possible Synergies to Science in the IAC

Resumen

The elusiveness of neutrinos is most renowned for their ability to penetrate and traverse vast amounts of matter without disturbance. While this very same property makes neutrino detection one of humanity’s most remarkable achievements, recent and forthcoming advancements in instrumentation continue to enhance our ability to harness neutrino-based information as a fundamental tool. This, in turn, provides unique insights into some of the most essential mysteries of the Universe. For instance, shortly after their discovery in the 1950s, neutrinos offered direct confirmation and deeper understanding of the fundamental fusion processes powering the Sun. Today, they are indispensable to our quest for a comprehensive understanding of Earth’s interior, the depths of the Sun, supernovae, high-energy cosmic ray emissions, and the early Universe’s structure following the Big Bang. Furthermore, neutrinos may play a crucial role in our pursuit of the origins of matter and the search for new physics beyond the Standard Model.
In this colloquium, I will highlight some of the most remarkable achievements in neutrino science to date, as well as emerging advancements that have the potential to complement all other cosmic probes — most notably, those within the IAC’s leadership in this field.