Curiouser and curiouser: a riddle at the ALICE detector

Virtual particles

Virtual particles’ existence is fleeting, but their effects are real.

Accidental beauties

These exquisite test samples transcend their original purpose—ensuring all the metal parts of SLAC accelerators and detectors are flawless.

Earth’s radiation belts

ATLAS shrunk

Carpenters working at particle physics labs are used to jobs their colleagues in private industry wouldn't dream of tackling.

Chasing charm in China

The flight plan of today's particle physicist can be a dizzying thing.

A desert quest for no-cell-phone zone

It seemed like a mirage: A shepherd holding a silver tea service crossing barren desert to quench the thirst of strangers.

Credit where credit is due

In the swirling sea of thousands of people who contribute to a major particle physics experiment, how can a young physicist pop to the surface and get noticed? An international committee offers ideas.