Two New Windows on the Universe

 

 

 The Nobel Prize in Physics 2002 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2002 with one half jointly to Raymond Davis Jr and Masatoshi Koshiba “for pioneering contributions to astrophysics, in particular for the detection of cosmic neutrinos” and the other half to Riccardo Giacconi “for pioneering contributions to astrophysics, which have led to the discovery of cosmic X-ray sources”.
       
 

The earth lies in the path of a continuous flux of cosmic radiation of different kinds. Some of this is very difficult to detect. This year’s Nobel Laureates in Physics succeeded in doing this, thereby increasing our understanding of a number of heavenly bodies, from the sun and other stars to supernovae and galaxies. This new knowledge has changed our picture of the universe.
 

Raymond Davis Jr Masatoshi Koshiba Riccardo Giacconi
 
       
 

Contents:
| Introduction | Neutrino Astronomy | Elusive particles captured in cleaning fluid | Kamiokande captured neutrinos in water | What is a supernova? | What makes the sun shine? | A new view of the universe | X-ray Astronomy | How does an X-ray telescope work? | A violent universe | What happens next? | Further reading | Credits |

Addition to the Nobel Poster: Questions and Answers related to the Prize 
  Web Adapted Version of the Nobel Poster from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

To cite this section
MLA style: Two New Windows on the Universe. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach 2026. Thu. 13 Aug 2026. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2002/9642-two-new-windows-on-the-universe/>

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