Muon Mystery Deepens with Latest Measurements

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August 10, 2023

This week, we're (still) waiting for new physics. "New" as in beyond the "Standard Model," the theoretical construct that has proved wildly successful at explaining a host of particle-physics phenomena but that still doesn't account for things like gravity, dark matter, and dark energy. Our top story details the latest buzzworthy news on this front, a fresh result from an experiment reinforcing an apparent discrepancy in the behavior of the muon—the electron's heavier subatomic sibling—that, just maybe, points to an emerging post-Standard Model paradigm. Stay tuned on this front, but don't hold your breath! Elsewhere this week, we have stories on the discovery of the Milky Way, familiar-yet-alien ecosystems thriving below the seafloor, shifts in public support for NASA's spaceflight plans, and more. Enjoy!

Lee Billings, Senior Editor, Space & Physics

Particle Physics Muon Mystery Deepens with Latest Measurements The latest data from the Muon g−2 experiment corroborates previous results, but clashing theoretical predictions leave physicists without a clear conclusion By Daniel Garisto

Astronomy How Seeing the Milky Way Helped Us Discover the Whole Universe Marvel for a moment at the Milky Way's night-sky spectacle—and the scientific revolutions it has sparked By Phil Plait

Ecology Strange Ecosystem Found Thriving below Seafloor Hydrothermal Vents An expedition using a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle has uncovered a hidden underground ecosystem below hydrothermal vents on the seafloor By Jack Tamisiea

Astrophysics A Background 'Hum' Pervades the Universe. Scientists Are Racing to Find Its Source Astronomers are now seeking to pinpoint the origins of an exciting new form of gravitational waves that was announced earlier this year By Jonathan O'Callaghan

Policy Hiroshima's Anniversary Marks an Injustice Done to Blast Survivors On this date 78 years ago, the first atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima. Survivors involuntarily provided key medical data for years, without receiving any help By Arthur Caplan

Space Exploration Most Americans Support NASA--But Don't Think It Should Prioritize Sending People To Space Scholars look to understand how Americans view space activities By Mariel Borowitz,Teasel Muir-Harmony,The Conversation US

Mathematics The Mysterious Origins of 'X' in Algebra The letter X is key to modern algebra. But no one knows why By Peter Schumer,The Conversation US

Sociology The 4 Stages of Conspiracy Theory Escalation on Social Media Here's how social media can help conspiracy theories spread and even spark violence By Christine Abdalla Mikhaeil,The Conversation US

QUOTE OF THE DAY "The g−2 measurement is a fantastic achievement.... It's very difficult stuff with very high precision." Patrick Koppenburg, a physicist at the Dutch National Institute for Subatomic Physics, on intriguing results from the Muon g−2 experiment that could be a sign of long-sought "new physics"

FROM THE ARCHIVE Weird Muons May Point to New Particles and Forces of Nature A mismatch between theory and experiment could explain big physics mysteries By Marcela Carena | October 2021

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