The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics to Francis Halzen. He got the prize for his work on the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Halzen showed that South Pole ice could track neutrinos. This helped many researchers capture particles from energy-rich processes in the distant universe.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics to Francis Halzen "for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin."
Halzen realised that ice at the South Pole could be used to track particles known as neutrinos, according to the Nobel Prize website, which added that his vision and scientific leadership have been fundamental for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory - a cubic kilometre of ice that is equipped with light sensors.
Using IceCube, researchers can capture neutrinos from extremely energy-rich processes in the distant universe.