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Physicists Discover New Particle!
Researchers at the soon-to-be-closed-but-won’t-go-quietly Fermilab, have confirmed the existence of the neutral Xi-sub-b baryon.
Baryons are particles composed of three quarks; quarks being elementary of particles. Other baryons include protons and neutrons. The newly discovered Xi-sub-b baryon is about six times more massive than the proton.
The Baryon Family. The Xi-sub-b baryon is the one highlighted in yellow. Image courtesy of Fermilab
The Fermilab press release states:
Combing through almost 500 trillion proton-antiproton collisions produced by Fermilab’s Tevatron particle collider, the CDF collaboration isolated 25 examples in which the particles emerging from a collision revealed the distinctive signature of the neutral Xi-sub-b. The analysis established the discovery at a level of 7 sigma. Scientists consider 5 sigma the threshold for discoveries.
Wow, 7-sigma! That’s a pretty high level of certainty.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding, the Tevatron particle accelerator at Fermilab will close operations in October of 2011. Way to go out with a bang guys!
Why You Should Always READ Papers You Cite…
Also, why anti-gay activists need to do a little more reading.
Al Franken is awesome.
‘The Amazing Spiderman’ Trailer!
Omigod, omigod omigod!
Happy Birthday Nikola Tesla: ‘Poker Face’ Played On Tesla Coils!
Yesterday was Nikola Tesla’s birthday, the man who is most famously known for giving us alternating current (AC).
In celebration, enjoy ‘Poker Face’ by Lady Gaga played with Tesla Coils!
Creationism is Stupid
And it’s being taught in schools. I know its an issue that has been around for awhile (and isn’t going away), but I think it’s good to remind people this is happening.
"Doonesbury" by Garry Trudeau
Last Shuttle Launch and A Comet Across the Sun’s Bow
Some cool stuff happening in and around space these last couple days.
This video from the Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a comet streaking across the face of the Sun!!
And of course, the final shuttle launch EVER happened earlier today.
Screen grab of video from NASA website.
A Quantum of Knowledge 