- The event was held on Friday, September 26, at Espacio Fundación Telefónica.
- A team from the IFT offered the general public a double cloud chamber experience.
- Juan García-Bellido represented the IFT in the talent contest, combining art and science.
On September 26, the Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT UAM-CSIC) took part in a new edition of the European Researchers’ Night in Madrid (NIGHTMADRID), a science outreach event that brings thousands of people together every year to connect society with science. On this occasion, the IFT co-organized the fair together with the other CSIC research centers on the Cantoblanco campus, moving for the first time to Espacio Fundación Telefónica, in the heart of Madrid.
The IFT reveals the invisible world of particles
The IFT presented the workshop “The Hunt of Particles”, where the public was able to “see the invisible” thanks to the MiniPIX EDU device, a radiation camera equipped with the Timepix detector. This instrument allowed attendees to observe in real time the tracks left by particles such as electrons, protons, alpha particles, or cosmic rays.
The activity began with an introductory talk given by IFT researcher Carlos Pena, who explained in simple terms what elementary particles are and how they can be detected. Next, the MiniPIX EDU device was used to observe in real time the traces left by different particles as they crossed the sensor. Finally, as the culminating part of the workshop, participants experienced a homemade cloud chamber built with dry ice and isopropyl alcohol, which vividly revealed the tracks left by cosmic particles as they passed through the vapor. This striking demonstration generated great excitement among both younger and adult audiences, who were able to see for themselves how particle physics phenomena manifest in our everyday environment.
The organizing team was composed of Carlos Pena Ruano, Ernesto Arganda, Cristina Fernández Suárez, Jaume Zuriaga, Gaetano Di Marco, Stela Adduci Faria (USP), Rafael Carrasco Carmona, Elisa Ramírez (BBVA-CSIC), and Laura Marcos.
Science turned into art
The IFT also had a prominent role in the scientific talent show, where IFT researcher Juan García-Bellido presented the artistic performance “The Emission of Gravitational Waves by a Binary System of Neutron Stars.” During his intervention, he combined a popular science explanation with the live creation of a painting.
From the IFT, we would like to thank everyone who joined us at the fair. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
