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New 'Mystery Meson' Sub-Atomic Particle Discovered

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the baryons-and-fermions-envious dept.

securitas writes "The BBC reports that scientists in Japan have discovered a new sub-atomic particle that defies current theories of matter and energy. The 'mystery meson' X(3872) was revealed while studying beauty quarks at the KEK High Energy Accelerator Research Organization Tsukuba meson factory. 'It weighs about the same as a single atom of helium and exists for only about one billionth of a trillionth of a second before it decays into other longer-lived, more familiar particles.' Scientists say the lifespan 'is nearly an eternity for a sub-atomic particle this heavy' and may require a change in current theory. Possible explanations for this include the particle being comprised of two quarks and two antiquarks, instead of the usual one-one pairing. More explanation and illustrations at KEK."

8 of 462 comments (clear)

  1. Do what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I like cheese a lot. Especially Colby.

  2. The Obvious Question by coolmacdude · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Because we need to make efforts to conserve energy, how many of these particles would just one monkey yield?

    --

    -You may license this sig for only $6.99.
  3. Poodle by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Just one quick question. When will GWB arrive to check on his poodle? I know it's today, but when?

    1. Re:Poodle by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      It bites. It chews it.

  4. In Soviet Russia... by pulse2600 · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    ...the Mystery Mesons study YOU!!!!!

  5. Science is for the foolish by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Why would anybody put their faith in a system that consistently produces results that are almost always proven wrong in the future? Yeah, the universe is made up of "mesons," whatever that means. In a few years they'll change to "sparticles," or "blarks." Science is as fickle as teenage fashion, and reflects reality about as accurately. What has science ever done for Man? On the other hand, God's Word is un-changing inspiration. Why do scientists keep searching for "the truth" when we've had it right in Scripture all along? It seems to me they just want to lead people away from Jesus, and will go to great lengths to conjure up rubbish like the Big Bang "theory" to accomplish this.

  6. more importantly by angryelephant · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    does it get cable?

  7. Eat it, mods! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    Polywater!

    Nah nah, I'm ONtopic!