University of Warwick public lecture sees Scully open the X-Files on neutrino mystery

The mystery around subatomic particles which appear to defy Einstein’s theories will be the subject of a free public lecture at the University of Warwick.

The Christmas lecture - entitled Faster than light? Has Einstein’s theory of Special Relativity been broken? - will see University of Warwick particle physicist Daniel Scully – no relation to the X-Files’ Dana Scully - explore research results which have baffled scientists worldwide.

Earlier this year a study at the world’s biggest physics laboratory CERN showed that neutrinos appeared to be travelling faster than the speed of light – a finding that if correct would turn the world of modern physics on its head.

Mr Scully said: “Particle physics has been hitting the headlines recently with news that particles produced at CERN may have been seen travelling faster than the speed of light - something forbidden by Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, which has become the foundation of modern physics since it was first proposed over a century ago.

“The special one-off Christmas lecture will give a whirlwind tour of the colourful history of neutrinos and the reasons researchers are studying them today.

“We’ll also look at the dire consequences the results at CERN could have for current theories and explore some of the weird and wonderful physics it could open up.”

The event is aimed at a general audience and no prior knowledge of physics is needed.

It will take place on December 6 at 7pm in the Physics Lecture Theatre in the Physics Building at the University of Warwick, starting with complimentary mince pies and mulled wine.

ENDS