Thousands of native milkweeds are transforming North Florida roadsides into experimental pollinator corridors. Along rural two-lane highways in North Florida, newly installed signs now identify grassy roadside slopes as wildflower areas. At this time of year, the labels may seem unnecessary. Thousands of milkweed plants are already producing dense clusters of five-sided buds and open [...]Male dragonflies are known to engage in mid-air "dogfights" to defend their breeding territory, using different maneuvers than those they employ when hunting prey. A new paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface concluded that relatively simple rules drive that behavior, namely that male dragonflies are trying to maintain a tactical position. This mirrors the tactics of human fighter pilots. The research could lead to the development of smarter drones capable of navigating with simple, vision-based guidance rather than complex computation.
Classic pursuits involving prey or mating rituals are asymmetric: there is a chaser and an evader, with each role requiring different maneuvers. In the case of male-on-male interactions, however, it is more of a mutual pursuit, per the authors, who thought that studying flight trajectories of insects or raptors could yield useful insights into the guidance laws that underlie the behavior. They chose the Trithemis Aurora species of dragonfly for study because the males are "fiercely territorial," and there are usually multiple males around a given pond, intent on defending their chosen perches. The dragonflies are also crimson-colored, making them easier to track.
Much of the prior research on dragonfly interactions relied on visual observations or single-camera recordings. For this study, the authors set up a portable stereovideographic rig with two shutter-synchronized cameras to record dragonfly interactions in both color and monochrome, and then reconstructed 102 paired male-on-male flight trajectories to capture the 3D kinematics. They also reconstructed nine trajectories for dragonflies intercepting prey for comparative purposes. This enabled the authors to develop a model for the rules governing the flight behavior.
© Samuel Fabian et al., 2026
A butterfly that survives for nearly a year, while its closest relatives live only two weeks, offers a potential model for studying how aging and lifespan can evolve in nature.
A University of Bristol-led study published in Nature Communications reports that some Heliconius butterflies have evolved both longer lifespans and slower physical decline, distinguishing them from most other butterfly species studied to date.
Heliconius butterflies inhabit the rainforests of Central and South America, where most adult butterflies live only a few weeks. In the study, Heliconius hewitsoni reached a maximum lifespan of 348 days, while a related species, Dione juno, only survived about 14 days under observed conditions. This represents a 25-fold difference in maximum lifespan between two closely related species.
Heliconius butterflies not only live longer than their relatives, but also show slower physical decline with age. The team, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, measured grip strength in aging butterflies to assess physical decline. Older Heliconius hecale performed as well as the younger individuals tested, showing no detectable age-related decline in grip strength.
The team combined butterfly house data, mark–recapture field studies, and controlled lab experiments. In these cases, Heliconius butterflies consistently showed longer lifespans, lower mortality rates, and slower rates of aging than closely related species that do not feed on pollen.
One hypothesis for their extended lifespan focuses on their unusual adult diet. While most butterflies feed only on nectar, Heliconius also consumes pollen, which was thought to provide the nutritional basis for its extended lifespan.
To test this idea, researchers compared pollen-feeding Heliconius hecale with its non-pollen-feeding relative, Dryas iulia. H. hecale maintained body mass and muscle performance longer than D. iulia. Even without pollen in its diet, H. hecale still outlived its relative by a wide margin. This suggests that diet alone does not explain Heliconius’s extended lifespan.
Dr. Jessica Foley, the study’s lead author from the University of Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences, explained that insects already show a huge range of lifespans. Some, like mayflies, live only a few days, while ant and termite queens can survive for decades. “This represents a roughly 5,000-fold difference within the class, compared with around a 100-fold difference in lifespan observed in mammals.”
Heliconius butterflies are notable because they have evolved both longer lifespans and slower rates of aging, allowing them to outlive close relatives from which they diverged only recently in evolutionary history.
Most aging research uses a limited set of laboratory organisms, such as mice, worms, and fruit flies, to study biological aging mechanisms. The heliconius butterfly provides a unique opportunity to study a long-lived species closely related to short-lived species, allowing for direct comparison in a natural context. Foley noted that comparing these two groups “can help reveal how lifespan is extended, making them a highly promising new model for research into the biology of aging and longevity.”
If pollen feeding and longevity evolved together but are not entirely dependent on each other, the next step is to identify the genetic and physiological changes responsible for both traits. Understanding these mechanisms in Heliconius butterflies could provide insight into how aging evolves across species.
Austin Burgess is a writer and researcher with a background in sales, marketing, and data analytics. He holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a data analytics certification. His work focuses on breaking scientific developments, with an emphasis on emerging biology, cognitive neuroscience, and archaeological discoveries.
After finding a host and shedding its wings for good, a blood-feeding fly appears to sacrifice some of its vision to better support its parasitic lifestyle. Researchers from Aberystwyth University and the University of Florence have discovered that this major shift in behavior is accompanied by a significant change in the insects’ sensory systems. Deer [...]Deep within our planet lies a critical interface known as the core–mantle boundary (CMB), a region where extreme temperatures and dynamic processes converge to shape Earth’s thermal and magnetic evolution. Recent research has illuminated the intricate behaviors of heat flow at this boundary, revealing how variations here influence the geodynamo—the mechanism responsible for Earth’s magnetic field. A groundbreaking study now explores how distinctive structures in the lowermost mantle can actually reverse the expected direction of heat transfer, fundamentally altering our understanding of how the deep Earth operates.
The core’s heat output and the mantle’s behavior are intimately linked, but spatial and temporal variations in heat flux at the CMB complicate this relationship. Heat flow from the core into the mantle typically fuels convective currents in the liquid outer core, driving the geodynamo process that sustains Earth’s magnetic shield. However, recent sophisticated simulations suggest that beneath certain geological features in the mantle, heat might instead flow back toward the core, a phenomenon previously unconfirmed and challenging conventional geophysical assumptions.
Central to this discovery are large low-shear-wave-velocity provinces (LLSVPs), massive structures located at the base of the mantle. These provinces are identifiable by their diminished seismic wave speeds, which geophysicists interpret as reservoirs of anomalously hot, chemically distinct materials. The new study models these LLSVPs with enhanced thermal conductivity adjustments and accounts for excess internal heating, simulating how these features interact dynamically with heat flow near the CMB.
The simulations reveal a striking phenomenon: heat flux directly beneath LLSVPs can be locally negative. This means, counterintuitively, that heat is being transferred from the mantle back into the core. This unexpected reversal challenges prior models which generally assumed a consistent outward flow of heat from core to mantle. Such negative fluxes have profound implications not only for the thermal balance of the Earth’s interior but also for the longevity and variability of its magnetic field.
Moreover, the research underscores that throughout the base of the mantle piles associated with LLSVPs, the heat flux remains lower than the adiabatic heat flux of the core. This thermal configuration suggests a degree of regional stratification at the top of the core, potentially explaining discrepancies observed in seismic and geomagnetic data. In other words, the topmost layer of the core may be thermally segregated in ways that we had not confirmed previously.
Interestingly, the study also explores the impact of subducted slabs—denser fragments of oceanic lithosphere—that eventually reach the CMB. The arrival of these slabs triggers pronounced spikes in heat flux, dramatically increasing the heterogeneity of lateral heat flow along the core–mantle boundary. This dynamic enhances the complexity of heat exchange patterns and further influences the geodynamo’s behavior, potentially affecting geomagnetic activity on geological timescales.
A significant implication of these findings relates to so-called “superchrons,” intervals lasting tens of millions of years during which Earth’s magnetic field remains stable without reversals. The occurrence of locally negative heat flux beneath the LLSVPs might explain these long periods of geomagnetic quiescence. When heat flows reversely into the core, it can alter convection patterns in ways that suppress the typical polarity flip mechanism, shedding new light on the origin and cessation of superchrons.
The study’s approach involved advanced mantle thermochemical convection modeling that incorporates temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and internal radiogenic heating within dense mantle piles. This methodological innovation provides a more realistic representation of the mantle’s behavior at extreme conditions than previous models, enabling researchers to capture subtle but critical feedbacks influencing heat fluxes at depth.
By reconciling seismic data, which reveals complex structures in the lowermost mantle, with geomagnetic observations that hint at temporal variability in the geodynamo, this research bridges a vital gap in Earth sciences. The correspondence between the spatial extents of LLSVPs and anomalies in the geomagnetic field suggests a coupling mechanism mediated through heat flux variations being directly tied to mantle dynamics.
The nuanced understanding of heat flow gleaned from this work also carries implications for the planet’s thermal evolution over geologic time. How heat migrates across the CMB influences the cooling rate of the core, the crystallization of the solid inner core, and consequently the lifecycle of the geodynamo. The discovery that heat transfer is not unidirectional, but can locally reverse in space and time, necessitates revisiting models of Earth’s deep thermal history and magnetic field generation.
This revelation also lays groundwork for interpreting seismic tomography results with a new lens, appreciating that chemical and thermal heterogeneity in LLSVPs exerts a tangible impact on core processes. The presence of chemically distinct reservoirs affects not only the mantle’s physical properties but also its thermal gradient with direct knock-on effects for core convection patterns and magnetic field intensity.
Such interconnectedness across Earth’s deep interior underscores the planetary-scale complexity of thermal and compositional interactions driving Earth’s long-term stability. The core-mantle boundary emerges not simply as a static physical barrier but as a dynamic interface where thermal regimes, chemical signatures, and fluid motion all coalesce to modulate our planet’s magnetic heartbeat.
Future research building on these findings may sharpen our forecasts for geomagnetic field behavior, including its reversals and excursions, by incorporating the interplay of mantle structures and heat flux heterogeneity shown in this study. Understanding these processes is not merely academic; Earth’s magnetic field shields life on the surface from charged solar particles, making geomagnetic stability crucial for habitability.
In conclusion, the discovery of negative heat flux beneath LLSVPs represents a paradigm shift in understanding Earth’s deep thermal dynamics. It opens fresh avenues into interpreting Earth’s magnetic field history and its deep interior’s energy budget, challenging geoscientists to refine their models of the planet’s evolving mantle and core mechanisms. The study invites a reconsideration of how internal heat governs the interplay between mantle convection and geomagnetic phenomena, securing a pivotal advance in the geophysical sciences.
As our planet continues its ceaseless churn beneath the crust, these findings remind us that Earth’s interior is a realm of profound complexity and subtle interactions. The dance of heat and composition at the core-mantle boundary not only choreographs magnetic field generation but ultimately shapes the environment that sustains life above ground. Unlocking its secrets brings us closer to comprehending the planet’s past, present, and future in extraordinary detail.
Subject of Research: Core–Mantle Boundary Heat Flux Variations and Their Impact on Mantle Dynamics and Geodynamo Behavior
Article Title: Negative core–mantle boundary heat flux beneath low-shear-wave-velocity provinces
Article References:
Deschamps, F., Guerrero, J.M., Amit, H. et al. Negative core–mantle boundary heat flux beneath low-shear-wave-velocity provinces. Nat. Geosci. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-026-02018-w
Image Credits: AI Generated
For nearly a decade, the hot Jupiter CoRoT-2 b has presented a profound mystery to astronomers: its atmospheric hot spot is inexplicably located opposite the position observed on all other exoplanets of its kind. This peculiar phenomenon challenges conventional wisdom about the nature of hot Jupiters and their atmospheric dynamics. Recent research led by Aurora Kesseli, a staff scientist at the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) housed within Caltech’s IPAC center, has shed new light on this enigma by leveraging advanced spectroscopic data obtained from the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the European Southern Observatory. This breakthrough offers compelling evidence that CoRoT-2 b defies a fundamental assumption about hot Jupiters: it is not tidally locked to its host star.
Hot Jupiters are a fascinating class of exoplanets typified by their colossal size—often comparable to or exceeding that of Jupiter—and their blisteringly close orbits around host stars, sometimes completing a single revolution in mere days. Because of these properties, hot Jupiters serve as prime candidates for detailed atmospheric studies. Their proximity to the parent star means they receive intense irradiation, significantly influencing their atmospheric dynamics, radiative properties, and chemical compositions. This environment makes them critical laboratories for testing and refining planetary formation, evolution, and climate models.
The accepted paradigm for hot Jupiter atmospheres is predicated on tidal locking, whereby the planet’s rotation period synchronizes with its orbit, causing one hemisphere to perpetually face the star, exposed to relentless stellar radiation, while the opposite side remains cloaked in darkness. This lock is thought to occur rapidly due to strong gravitational interactions between the planet and its star. The perpetual dayside is expected to feature a dominant hot spot slightly offset towards the direction of planetary rotation and orbital motion, driven by atmospheric super-rotation. This consistent pattern is observed across many studied hot Jupiters, reinforcing tidal locking as a foundational concept within exoplanetary atmospheric science.
However, CoRoT-2 b stands out starkly against this backdrop. Discovered in 2007 and studied extensively since, this hot Jupiter’s hottest atmospheric region is displaced not ahead of but behind the substellar point—the point on the planet directly facing its star—opposite to the behavior seen in counterparts. Initial hypotheses proposed to explain this anomaly included obscuring cloud layers, magnetic field-driven atmospheric dynamics complicating wind patterns, or a rotation period differing from the orbital period. Previous work by Lisa Dang, a collaborator and professor at the University of Waterloo, outlined these potential explanations based on early observational data.
Aurora Kesseli and her team recently applied phase-resolved emission spectroscopy using the CRIRES+ instrument on the VLT, capturing the planet’s atmosphere in unprecedented detail across different orbital phases. This method enables tracing variations in emitted light corresponding to temperature and wind structures dynamically as the planet orbits. The data conclusively pointed toward the third hypothesis: CoRoT-2 b exhibits a rotation rate slower than its orbital period, meaning it is not synchronized tidally. Specifically, one full rotation of CoRoT-2 b lasts approximately three Earth days, while its orbital period is about 1.5 days. This differential implies that by the time the planet completes a single axial spin, it has circumnavigated its host star twice.
This non-synchronous rotation leads to a decoupling of the traditional tidally locked pattern of day-night heating contrasts, fundamentally altering how atmospheric circulation redistributes energy. Without tidal locking, the expected eastward-shifted hot spot is replaced by a distinct thermal signature resulting from slower planetary spin interacting with intense stellar irradiation. The discovery challenges standard assumptions embedded in many exoplanet climate models that universally prescribe tidal locking for hot Jupiters, suggesting a more nuanced picture with rotational diversity.
Understanding the rotational state of exoplanets like CoRoT-2 b carries broader implications, especially in the context of habitability studies. Many terrestrial exoplanets orbit M dwarfs, cool stars constituting roughly 70% of the stellar population in the Milky Way. These stars have habitable zones—regions where liquid water can persist on planetary surfaces—so close that tidal locking is highly probable within relatively short stellar lifetimes. Since rotation influences temperature gradients, weather systems, and atmospheric retention, a tidally locked terrestrial exoplanet’s climate could differ drastically from one with asynchronous rotation. Hence, unraveling CoRoT-2 b’s rotation contributes to refining the models employed for predicting environments on potentially habitable worlds in tight orbits.
While the revelation of CoRoT-2 b’s slow rotation solves a significant piece of the puzzle, it simultaneously opens further questions. The mechanisms driving this atypical rotational state in a planet where tidal forces should dominate remain elusive. Possible contributors might include magnetic torques, differential interior structures, or recent dynamical interactions within its planetary system that disturbed its spin. Future observations, especially with upcoming flagship observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope, the Habitable Worlds Observatory, and the ground-based Extremely Large Telescope, promise to provide deeper insight into these processes by offering higher precision data across broader wavelength ranges.
Hot Jupiters continue to act as vanguards in exoplanetary science. They are currently the best-understood and most accessible class of exoplanets for atmospheric characterization, enabling astronomers to test and recalibrate models of atmospheric physics, chemistry, and dynamics. The case of CoRoT-2 b exemplifies how nature’s variability often defies simplified expectations, compelling constant refinement of theories and models. These advances do not merely enhance comprehension of gas giants but ripple outward to shape understanding of all planetary atmospheres, including those bearing life.
Kesseli underscores the excitement of probing “weird” exceptions within the exoplanet census, emphasizing that such outliers drive scientific progress. As instrumentation improves and more extensive surveys unfold, the taxonomy of exoplanetary rotation states, atmospheric dynamics, and climate regimes will grow richer. This improved framework will essentialize our broader quest to understand planet formation, stellar influences, and potential biosignatures on distant worlds. CoRoT-2 b’s defiance of tidal locking invites the scientific community to remain alert to unexpected phenomena lurking in exoplanet atmospheres.
In summation, the unraveling of CoRoT-2 b’s anomalous atmospheric hot spot through rigorous spectroscopic measurements marks a milestone in exoplanet research. It dispels the notion of universal tidal locking among hot Jupiters and reveals a more intricate rotational behavior impacting atmospheric properties. The ongoing inquiry into the cause of this slowed rotation will propel future efforts to decipher planetary spins, magnetic interactions, and orbital dynamics across a diverse planetary population. These insights will deepen our grasp of planetary physics and help guide the search for habitable environments beyond our solar system.
Subject of Research: Atmospheric dynamics and rotational state of the hot Jupiter CoRoT-2 b
Article Title: Unraveling the Mystery of the Peculiar and Young Hot Jupiter CoRoT-2b II: Phase Resolved Emission Spectroscopy with VLT/CRIRES+ and Gemini-S/IGRINS
News Publication Date: June 16, 2026
Web References: IPAC News, NExScI at Caltech, University of Waterloo Newsroom
References: Kesseli et al., submitted to The Astronomical Journal
Image Credits: Keith Miller (Caltech/IPAC – SELab)
Keywords: hot Jupiter, CoRoT-2 b, tidal locking, exoplanet atmospheres, phase-resolved spectroscopy, planetary rotation, atmospheric dynamics, VLT/CRIRES+, exoplanet climate models, M dwarf habitability, rotational decoupling, spectroscopic observations
In the dense, vibrant rainforests stretching across South and Central America, a remarkable evolutionary marvel is unfolding in the form of a tropical butterfly genus that defies traditional biological limits on lifespan. According to a groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of Bristol, as published recently in Nature Communications, Heliconius butterflies have evolved a sophisticated anti-aging mechanism that dramatically extends their lifespans compared to their close relatives. This discovery not only challenges existing paradigms surrounding insect longevity but also opens a new frontier in understanding the molecular and physiological bases of aging in natural populations.
Heliconius butterflies, widely distributed throughout neotropical ecosystems, have long intrigued biologists due to their exceptional longevity. Unlike most butterfly species, which complete their adult phase within a few weeks, Heliconius butterflies exhibit lifespans that soar to nearly a full year, with median lifespans averaging around three times those of closely related species. Specifically, Heliconius hewitsoni can live up to 348 days in the wild, a staggering contrast to the mere 14 days observed in its relative Dione juno. This magnified difference—in terms of maximum lifespan—exceeds a 25-fold disparity, presenting a natural laboratory to investigate the factors that contribute to longevity.
Delving into the evolutionary dynamics behind this phenomenon, the research team employed an integrative methodology that combined field observations, controlled insectary experiments, and mark-release-recapture studies across multiple Heliconiini tribe species. This multifaceted approach allowed the scientists to quantify not only lifespan but also the patterns of physiological aging, including metrics such as physical performance decline via grip-strength assessments. Intriguingly, in some Heliconius species like Heliconius hecale, the expected decline in physical capabilities that accompanies aging in most organisms was virtually absent, underscoring an evolved resistance to senescence.
The research highlights a unique ecological adaptation: adult pollen feeding. Heliconius butterflies are one of the few lepidopteran groups capable of digesting pollen throughout their adult lives, contrasting with the nectar-reliant feeding habits of most butterflies. This dietary specialization appears intricately linked to their extended healthspan and longevity. Pollen is a rich source of proteins and amino acids, which are hypothesized to support enhanced somatic maintenance and cellular repair mechanisms, potentially underpinning slower rates of aging and sustained physiological function.
To rigorously test the relationship between diet and aging, the study contrasted Heliconius hecale with its non-pollen-feeding relative Dryas iulia under controlled conditions that varied access to pollen. Remarkably, while Heliconius hecale individuals sustained their muscular function and body mass longer and evaded typical age-related deterioration, even those deprived of pollen retained a longevity advantage relative to Dryas. This finding implies that while pollen feeding contributes nutritionally, intrinsic genetic or epigenetic adaptations also play a critical role in extending lifespan, suggesting a complex interplay between evolved traits and ecological factors.
From an evolutionary biology perspective, the divergence in longevity and aging rates within the Heliconiini tribe exemplifies natural selection’s power in shaping life-history traits in response to ecological niches and resource utilization. The accelerated lifespan and delayed senescence in Heliconius suggest that adaptive shifts—such as adult pollen feeding—can drive profound modifications in physiology and perhaps modulate molecular pathways linked to aging, including oxidative stress resistance, protein homeostasis, and metabolic regulation.
The implications of this research extend beyond the entomological sphere, offering a promising model for the biology of aging and lifespan extension. Insects have already revealed fundamental insights into genetic regulation and cellular processes, and the Heliconius genus introduces a new dimension by combining extraordinary longevity with ecological and evolutionary relevance. Decoding the molecular mechanisms enabling Heliconius butterflies to circumvent typical aging processes could illuminate targets for biomedical research into human healthspan and age-related diseases.
Jessica Foley, the study’s lead author, emphasized the significance of these findings within the broader context of longevity research. Highlighting the vast interspecies disparity in lifespan—from ephemeral mayflies surviving mere days to ant and termite castes living decades—she notes that Heliconius butterflies offer a naturally evolved system to decode the underlying biology that governs such diversity. Their relatively recent evolutionary divergence from short-lived relatives strengthens the value of this natural comparative experiment.
Furthermore, the study underscores the utility of integrating ecological, physiological, and evolutionary data to unravel complex biological phenomena. By blending fieldwork with laboratory precision, the researchers were able to identify robust patterns of aging and performance that are rarely accessible in wild insect populations. This holistic approach models a pathway forward for future studies aimed at dissecting the multifactorial influences on longevity and healthspan.
In conclusion, the revelation that Heliconius butterflies not only live exceptionally long lives but also maintain functional integrity well into old age represents a profound breakthrough in understanding natural aging mechanisms. Their case underscores how dietary innovations and evolutionary pressures can collectively sculpt lifespan, challenging the limits traditionally imposed by physiology. As research progresses, the Heliconius genus is poised to emerge as a vital model system, shedding light on the deep evolutionary roots of ageing and longevity and potentially inspiring novel therapeutic approaches for age-associated conditions in humans.
Subject of Research: Animals
Article Title: Evolution of increased longevity and slowed ageing in a genus of tropical butterfly
News Publication Date: 16-Jun-2026
Web References: 10.1038/s41467-026-73635-7
Image Credits: Louise Bestea
Keywords: Insects, Lepidoptera, Rainforests, Tropical forests, Evolutionary biology
Deep underground, on the border between Switzerland and France, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is starting back up again after a 4 year hiatus. Today, July 5th, the LHC had its first full energy collisions since 2018. Whenever the LHC is running is exciting enough on its own, but this new run of data taking will also feature several upgrades to the LHC itself as well as the several different experiments that make use of its collisions. The physics world will be watching to see if the data from this new run confirms any of the interesting anomalies seen in previous datasets or reveals any other unexpected discoveries.
During the multi-year shutdown the LHC itself has been upgraded. Noticably the energy of the colliding beams has been increased, from 13 TeV to 13.6 TeV. Besides breaking its own record for the highest energy collisions every produced, this 5% increase to the LHC’s energy will give a boost to searches looking for very rare high energy phenomena. The rate of collisions the LHC produces is also expected to be roughly 50% higher previous maximum achieved in previous runs. At the end of this three year run it is expected that the experiments will have collected twice as much data as the previous two runs combined.
The experiments have also been busy upgrading their detectors to take full advantage of this new round of collisions.
The ALICE experiment had the most substantial upgrade. It features a new silicon inner tracker, an upgraded time projection chamber, a new forward muon detector, a new triggering system and an improved data processing system. These upgrades will help in its study of exotic phase of matter called the quark gluon plasma, a hot dense soup of nuclear material present in the early universe.
ATLAS and CMS, the two ‘general purpose’ experiments at the LHC, had a few upgrades as well. ATLAS replaced their ‘small wheel’ detector used to measure the momentum of muons. CMS replaced the inner most part its inner tracker, and installed a new GEM detector to measure muons close to the beamline. Both experiments also upgraded their software and data collection systems (triggers) in order to be more sensitive to the signatures of potential exotic particles that may have been missed in previous runs.
The LHCb experiment, which specializes in studying the properties of the bottom quark, also had major upgrades during the shutdown. LHCb installed a new Vertex Locator closer to the beam line and upgraded their tracking and particle identification system. It also fully revamped its trigger system to run entirely on GPU’s. These upgrades should allow them to collect 5 times the amount of data over the next two runs as they did over the first two.
Run 3 will also feature a new smaller scale experiment, FASER, which will study neutrinos produced in the LHC and search for long-lived new particles.
One of the main goals in particle physics now is direct experimental evidence of a phenomena unexplained by the Standard Model. While very successful in many respects, the Standard Model leaves several mysteries unexplained such as the nature of dark matter, the imbalance of matter over anti-matter, and the origin of neutrino’s mass. All of these are questions many hope that the LHC can help answer.
Much of the excitement for Run-3 of the LHC will be on whether the additional data can confirm some of the deviations from the Standard Model which have been seen in previous runs.
One very hot topic in particle physics right now are a series of ‘flavor anomalies‘ seen by the LHCb experiment in previous LHC runs. These anomalies are deviations from the Standard Model predictions of how often certain rare decays of the b quarks should occur. With their dataset so far, LHCb has not yet had enough data to pass the high statistical threshold required in particle physics to claim a discovery. But if these anomalies are real, Run-3 should provide enough data to claim a discovery.
There are also a decent number ‘excesses’, potential signals of new particles being produced in LHC collisions, that have been seen by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations. The statistical significance of these excesses are all still quite low, and many such excesses have gone away with more data. But if one or more of these excesses was confirmed in the Run-3 dataset it would be a massive discovery.
While all of these anomalies are gamble, this new dataset will also certainly be used to measure various known entities with better precision, improving our understanding of nature no matter what. Our understanding of the Higgs boson, the top quark, rare decays of the bottom quark, rare standard model processes, the dynamics of the quark gluon plasma and many other areas will no doubt improve from this additional data.
In addition to these ‘known’ anomalies and measurements, whenever an experiment starts up again there is also the possibility of something entirely unexpected showing up. Perhaps one of the upgrades performed will allow the detection of something entirely new, unseen in previous runs. Perhaps FASER will see signals of long-lived particles missed by the other experiments. Or perhaps the data from the main experiments will be analyzed in a new way, revealing evidence of a new particle which had been missed up until now.
No matter what happens, the world of particle physics is a more exciting place when the LHC is running. So lets all cheers to that!
Read More:
CERN Run-3 Press Event / Livestream Recording “Join us for the first collisions for physics at 13.6 TeV!“
Symmetry Magazine “What’s new for LHC Run 3?”
CERN Courier “New data strengthens RK flavour anomaly“
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