Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 30, 2013

THE WORLD AROUND US

13

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 30, 2013 


IceCube PUSHES NEUTRINOS TO THE FOREFRONT OF ASTRONOMY

 The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a particle detector buried in a cubic kilometer 
of Antarctic ice, is a demonstration of the power of the human passion for discovery, 
where scientific ingenuity meets technological innovation. This week, nearly 25 years 
after the pioneering idea of using ice to detect neutrinos was first suggested, the IceCube 
Collaboration has announced the observation of 28 very high-energy particle events that 
constitute the first solid evidence for astrophysical neutrinos coming from extragalactic 
space.

 The research appeared in the Nov. 22 issue of the journal Science.

 “This is the first indication of very high-energy neutrinos coming from outside our 
solar system, with energies more than one million times those observed in 1987 in 
connection with a supernova seen in the Large Magellanic Cloud,” says Francis Halzen, 
principal investigator of IceCube and professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-
Madison. “It is gratifying to finally see what we have been looking for. This is the dawn 
of a new age of astronomy.”

 Because they rarely interact with matter, the nearly massless subatomic particles 
called neutrinos can carry information about the workings of the highest-energy and 
most distant phenomena in the universe. Billions of neutrinos pass through every 
square centimeter of the Earth (including our bodies) every second, but the vast majority 
originate either in the Sun or in the Earth’s atmosphere.

 Far rarer are neutrinos from the outer reaches of our galaxy or beyond, which have long 
been theorized to provide insights into the powerful cosmic objects where high-energy 
cosmic rays may originate—including supernovas, black holes, pulsars, and quasars.

 IceCube, run by the international IceCube Collaboration and headquartered at 
the Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center (WIPAC) at UW-Madison, was 
designed to accomplish two major scientific goals: measure the flux, or rate, of high-
energy neutrinos; and try to identify some of their sources. UW-Madison is the lead 
institution, and the international collaboration includes 250 physicists and engineers 
from the U.S., Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, 
Australia, U.K. and Korea.

 The 28 high-energy neutrinos were found in data collected by the IceCube detector from 
May 2010 to May 2012 and analyzed for neutrino events exceeding 50 teraelectronvolts 
(TeV) coming from anywhere in the sky. The events cannot be explained by other 
neutrino fluxes, such as those from atmospheric neutrinos, nor by other high-energy 
events, such as muons produced by the interaction of cosmic rays in the atmosphere.

 IceCube is comprised of 5,160 digital optical modules suspended along 86 strings embedded in a cubic kilometer of ice beneath the South Pole. The National Science Foundation-supported observatory 
detects neutrinos through the tiny flashes of blue light, called Cherenkov light, produced when neutrinos interact in the ice.

 “IceCube is a wonderful and unique astrophysical telescope—it is deployed deep in the Antarctic ice but looks over the entire universe, detecting neutrinos coming through the Earth from the northern 
skies, as well as from around the southern skies,” says Vladimir Papitashvili of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Polar Programs.

Multimedia Gallery:

http://icecube.wisc.edu/gallery/press

You can contact Bob Eklund at: b.eklund@MtnViewsNews.com.


The IceCube Lab in March, 2012 - The IceCube Laboratory at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, 
in Antarctica, hosts the computers collecting raw data. Only events selected as interesting for physics 
studies are sent to University of Wisconsin, Madison, where they are prepared for use by any member 
of the IceCube Collaboration. Credit: Sven Lidstrom. IceCube/NSF

 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT


SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS: 

JASMINE’S CORNER

Book Reviews by Jasmine Kelsey Williams 

By Sean Kayden

ANTHONY GREEN

The third studio solo album from Anthony Green entitled, “Young Legs,” 
is brimming with grace and luminousness. The thematic “Young Legs” 
explores love and disenchantment. It also covers existentialism, as Green has 
become a father again. Green conveys a much tranquil vibe here as opposed 
to his previous solo endeavors and the material from his full-time band, 
Circa Survive. The eleven tracks are pleasant and soothing. The arrangements, backed by fellow 
Philadelphia natives, Good Old War, are calming and atmospheric. Green’s first two albums were 
mostly reflective on his own marriage and then his first-born, respectively. This time the lyrics are 
a bit distant and more about others around him than merely just himself. Evidently we are led to 
Green’s deep understanding the world isn’t solely about one’s self, but those who you surround 
yourself with. Never are the lyrics all that intricate but 
still deeply personal and transparent. However, not all 
the tracks work perfectly since some seem repetitive 
in nature. The ones that do stand out are heartfelt and 
striking.

“Breaker” kicks off the album in stellar fashion. It’s one 
of the more complex tracks found on “Young Legs.” 
Dazzling guitars come into play during the choruses. 
Green’s saccharine vocals are light and tender as usual. 
“100 Steps” is another gorgeous tune that is sweet and 
tranquil. Green’s vocals can get a bit overly sentimental, 
but it’s always sincere. The delivery is nearly exceptional. The songs here range from barebones 
acoustics to fully expanded sounds. “Anytime” is honest and utterly touching. Green’s passionate 
lyrics are easily applicable for any listener dealing with love or lost. “I’ll Miss You” is another 
sensitive, thoughtful tune. Green’s perspective on this record is about those around him or ones 
he lost. The songs aren’t selfish or self-absorbed but rather compassionate and empathetic. “Shine” 
has striking harmonies and astounding guitar arrangements. With ethereal vibes and comforting 
vocals, “Young Legs” definitely shines in most areas. In other areas, he loses his way trying to set 
out to be too intricate.

Sad and cordial, “Young Legs” cuts deep. However, it stumbles along the way. The less than two 
minutes tracks, “Too Little, Too Late” and “Stolen” are nothing more than filler. They feel like 
uncompleted tracks that either should have been reworked or never should have made the final 
cut. There’s a lot to enjoy with “Young Legs.” It’s a considerably meaningful record overflowing 
with beautiful melodies and earnest lyrics. Most of the songs will ruminate within the mind and 
soul and permeate through the heart. I wouldn’t consider it one of the best albums of the year, but 
another big step forward for a singer/songwriter that has so much drive and passion. That alone is 
admirable, but I still wish there was something more here to put “Young Legs” into a league of its 
own. For now, it fits decently well with other good folk/acoustic rock albums of the last few years. 

Grade 7.7 out of 10 Key Tracks: “Breaker,” “100 Steps,” “Anytime,” “I’ll Miss You,” “Shine”

BULLIED: WHAT EVERY PARENT, TEACHER AND 
KID NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT ENDING THE 
CYCLE OF FEAR By Carrie Goldman

 We slowly approach the end of November, and this columnist 
continues with another serious topic: the issue of bullying, which 
brings us to the next pick: “Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher 
and Kid Needs to Know about Ending the Cycle of Fear”. Again, 
this selection is long on title, but it is a bold one, which is sure to 
speak volumes about the issue at hand that is presented to readers. 
Carrie Goldman presents us with blunt and straightforward 
observations and thorough research on the broad subject of 
bullying, as well as presenting the story of Katie, who received 
support from her community when she was bullied for liking Star 
Wars. 

 Goldman does not just touch on bullying, but its various 
forms: from teasing and taunting in elementary years to much 
more aggressive bullying, cyberbullying, being gay or having 
disabilities (mental or physical). With each subject Goldman addresses she brings to light the 
lasting consequences of the victims, as well as the bullies themselves, and the lasting effects it can 
leave on parents, friends, and through extensions of any community. Readers will be able to see 
the buildup as well as the relevance of the topic of bullying through divided into three parts: first 
on Katie’s story, then kids who are at a high risk for victimization, and then the last part which 
addresses prevention, intervention and reconciliation. Also adding to its depth in “Bullied” are 
the personal letters of support, (as well as a few harsh and critical ones) that are provided from 
various individuals who provide their insight and perspectives which show that bullying can be 
overcome and that one can learn to fight for themselves as well as having the support of those 
who can fight with them in any way they can. 

 Copyrighted in 2012, and receiving praise from various critics, Kirkus, and the New York 
Journal of Books, “Bullied” is a recommended read for all ages that will not only be thought-
provoking, but one that provides valuable life lessons. 

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSL8rdLTt6zuL8c7qFXkUS3mNGWbM_CWtT-c8pQAzajqERd2Kz4
Artist: Anthony Green

Album: Young Legs

Label: Self-Release 

Release 

Date: November 11th, 2013


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