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China’s JUNO Neutrino Observatory Begins Data Collection to Resolve Mass Hierarchy

The underground detector has started capturing reactor antineutrino events with a multi-year plan for high-precision spectral measurements.

Overview

  • Located about 700 meters underground near Jiangmen, JUNO is a 35‑meter acrylic sphere containing more than 20,000 tonnes of liquid scintillator.
  • JUNO recorded an initial neutrino signal on August 24 and has now entered routine data-taking, according to the collaboration.
  • Two nearby nuclear power plants supply antineutrinos that JUNO will use to map oscillation patterns relevant to the ordering of neutrino masses.
  • Project scientists report roughly 50 detectable light flashes per day in early operations, with about six years of data expected to approach statistical significance on the hierarchy.
  • A dense array of photomultiplier tubes reads out single-photon flashes, enabling precision measurements now and laying groundwork for later studies of deeper neutrino properties.