Investigate the science goals of DUNE at Sanford Lab’s Deep Talks

LEAD, SD— Sanford Underground Research Facility (Sanford Lab) invites the public to attend the second virtual Deep Talks of the season, “Deep Talks: Why DUNE?” Join a team of researchers with the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, or DUNE, as they unpack the three major science goals of the experiment. This online event will be streamed on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m. MST.

DUNE will bring together more than 1,000 scientists from over 30 countries and infuse millions of dollars into local, state and global economies. The experiment, hosted by the Department of Energy’s Fermilab with locations at Fermilab and Sanford Lab, requires the construction of the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility, an upgrade to the particle accelerator complex at Fermilab and the excavation of more than 800,000 tons of rock to make space for a massive particle detector a mile underground at Sanford Lab.

But why? What will come of this immense international effort?

At its core, the field of particle physics aims to advance our understanding of the laws of nature. This ambitious experiment will tackle some of the largest mysteries in the field, including the search for the origin of matter, the unification of forces and supernova physics. 

Patterson, DUNE physics co-coordinator for the experiment and a speaker at this event, described the potential of the DUNE experiment in the context of supernova research: “I like to joke that if DUNE sees a supernova in our galaxy, we are all going to suddenly become astrophysicists—the data will be so rich that everyone is going to want to study it. It’s that fascinating.”

Other speakers include Kate Scholberg, co-convener of DUNE’s supernova working group and professor of physics at Duke University, and Chang Kee Jung, a professor of physics at Stony Brook University who has had multiple leadership roles in DUNE.

Attendees can join this event via Zoom webinar to answer polls and submit questions for speakers or watch live on Sanford Lab's Facebook page. Webinar space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.

View full event information and register for the Zoom webinar on Sanford Lab’s website.

Sanford Lab is operated by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) with funding from the Department of Energy. Our mission is to advance compelling underground, multidisciplinary research in a safe work environment and to inspire and educate through science, technology, and engineering. Visit Sanford Lab at www.SanfordLab.org.

The Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.