Particle physics science and discoveries: Latest news
From the Standard Model to the Large Hadron Collider and from quantum physics to the Higgs boson, read about the latest discoveries in particle physics here.
Related topics: The Big Bang theory, Black holes, Dark matter
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
Latest about particle physics
![A magneto-optical trap of approximately 300 million strontium atoms suspended in a vacuum chamber cooled to just above absolute zero. This trap was used by researchers to develop new techniques for measuring time.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fcqco2sNiStecAa3NXjMwm-320-80.png)
Highly precise atomic clocks could soon get even better. Here's how
By Robert Lea published
Superradiant atoms could help us measure time more precisely than ever before, a theory developed with the aid of the great-grandson of the "father of the atom," Niels Bohr.
![A man in a suit stands in front of an image of the Large Hadron Collider, which has lots of mechanical parts centered around a yellow middle device.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xui4ck5jwW6A9Z5R2vAMW3-320-80.jpg)
Why Peter Higgs leaves a massive legacy in the field of physics
By Robert Lea last updated
On April 8, 2024, Peter Higgs passed away. Pioneering the discovery of the Higgs boson, the mark the theoretical physicist has left on physics is immense.
![High-energy particle collisions, neutrinos.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WqmdvDCaJkunwfzJikZqF9-320-80.jpg)
Opposites attract? Not in new experiment that finds loophole in fundamental rule of physics
By Ben Turner published
Like-charged objects were found to clump together while opposites repelled because of the newly discovered "electrosolvation force."
![The brightest gamma-ray burst ever seen as observed by the Swift X-Ray Telescope around an hour after it erupted.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L6ZDSE6foaKbdsPxwBjJx-320-80.jpg)
Weird particle physics stories that blew our minds in 2023
By Paul Sutter published
11 of the biggest stories about the smallest particles from 2023.
![The star cluster IC 348 as seen by the JWST and where it spotted three "failed star" brown dwarfs. A pink and purple red gaseous nebula fills the image, many bright twinkling stars.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/okDb5xJnqg8xkUc8HiPqnc-320-80.jpg)
13 record-breaking space discoveries of 2023
By Keith Cooper published
Some of the strongest, longest, smallest, biggest and best reasons to celebrate space as the year comes to a close. There are a handful of awesome firsts in here too.
![a blue green gaseous array gridded in 3d lays in the backround of eight shimmering bright points of light as a galaxy swirls in the top left.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NZsaUma6UxkbXYWBmQ6Hsh-320-80.jpg)
'Wavy space-time' may explain why gravity won't play by quantum rules
By Robert Lea published
A novel theory of 'wavy space-time' suggests that the division between our best descriptions of the universe on its smallest and largest scales may be because gravity does not play by quantum rules.
![Screenshot from a computer simulation shows jets push through material surrounding a merger created black hole to launch long gamma-ray bursts.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QSY4UPqjWVUWwRb9TqvPZU-320-80.jpg)
The elusive origins of long gamma-ray bursts may finally be revealed
By Robert Lea published
New research helps resolve the mystery surrounding strange long gamma-ray bursts, suggesting these blasts of high-energy radiation emerge from collisions of neutron stars that birth black holes.
![An illustration showing a cosmic ray hitting the Telescope Array experiment's detectors.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gzLqtxMvERCUSffTtFZ5zF-320-80.png)
High-energy 'sun goddess' particle opens possibilities for new physics, exciting scientists
By Robert Lea published
Scientists have discovered a mysterious, highly energetic "sun goddess" particle that could act as a messenger for some of the universe’s most powerful events.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!