For the first time, scientists have observed muon ionization cooling — a major step toward the realization of the muon collider. If built, a future muon collider could provide 10 times the discovery reach of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider.

To some degree, scientists on all of today’s particle physics experiments share a common challenge: How can they pick out the evidence they are looking for from the overwhelming abundance of all the other stuff in the universe getting in their way? Physicists refer to that stuff — the unwelcome clamor of gamma rays, cosmic rays and radiation crowding particle detectors — as background. They deal with background in their experiments in two ways: by reducing it and by rejecting it.

From WTTW’s The Interview Show with Mark Bazer, Jan. 31, 2020: Fermilab scientist Dan Hooper talks about the early moments of the universe in this 16-minute interview at Chicago bar The Hideout.

From Cambridge Network, Feb. 3, 2020: Representatives from UK Research and Innovation and the US Department of Energy have signed an agreement that outlines £65 million worth of contributions that UK research institutions and scientists will make to the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment and related projects hosted by Fermilab. DUNE will study the properties of mysterious particles called neutrinos, which could help explain more about how the universe works and why matter exists at all.

From Gizmodo, Jan. 25, 2020: Physicists have found all of the particles and forces that the Standard Model describes, but there are still countless mysteries in the universe that the theory fails to explain. Various experiments are now probing the Standard Model for cracks, and this year, scientists hope to unveil a measurement from one of them, the Muon g-2 experiment, a measurement that might break from the theory.

From The Beacon-News, Jan. 30, 2020: Physics lovers of all ages are invited to the annual Fermilab Family Open House from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 9. Fermilab’s Amanda Early talks about how kids and grownups alike will get excited about science through the demos and tours at this free event.

From Inside Science, Jan. 24, 2020: Some scientists have been poking at the foundations of dark energy, but many say the concept remains on solid, if mysterious, ground. Fermilab scientist Josh Frieman is quoted in this story on the evidence for dark energy.

This year’s events will feature the Great Neutrino Hunt, the Mr. Freeze Cryogenics Show, live physics demonstrations, a physics carnival developed and presented by local high school students, tours of the Linear Accelerator Gallery and the Muon g-2 experiment, and a driving tour of the site.

When observed parameters seem like they must be finely tuned to fit a theory, some physicists accept it as coincidence. Others want to keep digging.

From WDCB’s First Light, Jan. 19, 2020: In this 13-minute radio piece, First Light host chats with Fermilab’s newest artists-in-residence Patrick Gallagher and Chris Klapper during their visit to the lab. While the science being done at Fermilab is amazing, if you’re not a particle physicist, that work can be difficult to understand. Making it understandable is one of the goals of the artist-in-residence program.