PBS Space Time Season 2017 Episode 14 The Oh My God Particle

PBS Space Time is a highly entertaining science show that takes viewers on an extraordinary journey through the vastness of space. In the show's 2017 season, Episode 14 was titled "The Oh My God Particle," and it explored the fascinating world of particle physics.

The episode began by highlighting one of the most exciting discoveries in particle physics, the Oh My God Particle. This particle is a cosmic ray that was detected by the University of Utah, and it has an incredible amount of energy. The particle contains more energy than any other known particle, and its discovery was a game-changer in the world of particle physics.

The PBS Space Time host then delved into the concept of particle acceleration. The host explained that particle accelerators are machines that use electric fields to increase the energy levels of particles. The machines are used to produce high-energy particles that are used in a variety of applications, such as in cancer treatment, nuclear power plants, and more.

While particle accelerators are an essential tool used in the field of particle physics, they are also incredibly expensive to build and maintain. The host highlighted the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which is the most powerful particle accelerator in the world. The LHC is a tunnel that stretches for 27 kilometers and is located at CERN in Switzerland. The host explained that the LHC is used to study the behavior of particles and to search for new particles that may help us better understand the workings of the universe.

The show then shifted to the concept of cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles that come from outer space. The host explained that cosmic rays are continuously bombarding Earth, and scientists are always trying to understand where these particles come from and what they are made of.

The host then discussed the discovery of the Oh My God Particle, which was detected in 1991 by the University of Utah. The particle was given its name because the scientist who discovered it wrote "Oh my god!" in the margin of the printout when he saw the energy levels of the particle.

After the discovery of the Oh My God Particle, scientists were left with more questions than answers. The host explained that the particle was unlike anything that had been seen before, and scientists were struggling to understand how it was possible for a particle to contain so much energy.

The host then went on to explain that scientists are constantly trying to create cosmic rays in particle accelerators. This process is incredibly challenging because the particles need to be accelerated to an incredibly high speed and then collide with each other to create the high-energy particles.

The show then explored the concept of dark matter, which is an invisible substance that makes up a significant portion of the universe. The host explained that scientists are still struggling to understand what dark matter is and how it affects the universe.

Overall, PBS Space Time's "The Oh My God Particle" is an incredibly informative and entertaining look at the world of particle physics. The show successfully breaks down complicated concepts in a way that is easy for viewers to understand, and it provides a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the universe.