Astroparticle physics

Astroparticle physics is a term used to indicate that branch of particle physics that studies elementary particles of astronomical origin, and their relation to astrophysics and cosmology.

It is a quite new field of research emerging at the intersection of particle physics, astronomy, and cosmology.

It aims to answer fundamental questions such as:

•What is the Universe made of?

•Do protons have a finite life-time?

•What are the properties of neutrinos? What is their role in cosmic evolution?

•What do neutrinos tell us about the interior of Sun, Earth and Supernova explosions?

•What is the origin of cosmic rays?

•What is the view of the sky at extreme energies?

•What is the nature of gravity? Can we detect gravitational waves?

Its rapid development has led to the design of new types of infrastructure. In underground laboratories or with specially designed telescopes, antennas and satellite experiments, astroparticle physicists employ new detection methods to observe a wide range of cosmic particles including neutrinos, gamma rays and cosmic rays at the highest energies. They are also searching for dark matter and gravitational waves.

The most active topics in astroparticle physics are

* Gamma-ray astronomy

* Neutrinos and Neutrino astronomy

* Magnetic monopoles

* Axions

Astroparticle Physics

See also

* Astrophysics

* Urca-process

* CERN Axion Solar Telescope

* Nestor

* Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso