Podcast Summary
From quarks to art: Tepe Katori's journey of curiosity and growth: Tepe Katori's curiosity for the natural world led him to explore quarks and leptons, taking him to renowned institutions. However, his personal growth came from unexpected encounters with artists and musicians in Chicago.
Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge can lead us on incredible journeys, opening doors to new experiences and connections. As NPR sponsor BBC puts it, the best stories make us think, and this is exactly what happened to Tepe Katori. Starting with a fascination for the natural world and its intricacies, Tepe's curiosity led him to the smallest components of our universe – quarks and leptons. This journey took him to different continents and renowned institutions like Indiana University Bloomington and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. However, Tepe's thirst for knowledge didn't stop at the lab. He sought community and inspiration outside of his particle physics work, meeting artists and musicians in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. These encounters inspired him to connect with his creativity, demonstrating that knowledge and personal growth can come from various sources and experiences. The BBC, with its commitment to providing information and inspiration, serves as a reminder that there's always more to discover and learn, and that the best stories challenge us to think and explore.
Science and Art: A Deeper Understanding of the World: Science and art can blend to create unique perspectives and foster connections between people and the universe.
Science and art can come together to create a deeper understanding of the world and foster connections between people and the universe. Dr. Tepe, a particle physicist, provides an inspiring example of this blend. During his time as a postdoc, he discovered the traveling brass street band, Environmental Encroachment. Their energetic performances ignited his passion for music and art, leading him to join the band and tour with them while continuing his work at Fermilab. This experience sparked his idea to combine his passions for physics, music, and art. Through his scientific research and artistic pursuits, Dr. Tepe creates exhibits that connect people to the subatomic realm, offering a unique perspective on the macroscopic world. This intersection of science and art not only enriches individual experiences but also encourages a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the universe.
Exploring the Unknown in Art and Physics: Artists and physicists share a curiosity to explore the unknown, with physicists seeking to detect elusive neutrinos and artists creating without a fixed end goal.
Art and physics share a commonality in their exploratory nature. Artists create without a fixed end goal, much like physicists who search for new discoveries in the world of subatomic particles. One such elusive particle is the neutrino, which, despite being abundant, is incredibly difficult to detect due to its lack of interaction with matter. Neutrinos are subatomic particles, smaller than atoms, and come in various types. Some carry force, like photons, while others carry mass. The atom is made up of a nucleus, which in turn is made up of protons and neutrons, and these particles are made up of even smaller particles called quarks. Neutrinos, often referred to as "ghost particles," are another fundamental particle that are difficult to detect because they pass through matter almost undetected. Despite their scarcity in interactions, scientists continue to search for ways to detect neutrinos, using large detectors to capture the rare instances when they do interact with matter. The connection between art and physics lies in their shared curiosity and willingness to explore the unknown.
Turning a Neutrino Detector into a Musical Instrument: Scientists and artists collaborated to convert neutrino data into music, making the invisible world of particle physics more accessible to the public.
Scientists use large detectors, like the Super-K detector in Japan, to maximize the chance of detecting neutrinos, subatomic particles that rarely interact with matter. These detectors are often used in experiments searching for neutrinos from extragalactic objects, which are extremely far away and high in energy. A recent collaboration between physicist Tepe and artist Christo Squire aimed to make the invisible world of particle physics more tangible by turning the Super-K detector into a musical instrument. They used live data from the detector, converting light signals produced by neutrino interactions into musical notes. By dividing the detector into seven parts and assigning each part a note on the musical scale, they created a unique instrument that translated the randomness of neutrino interactions into music. This collaboration showcases the potential for interdisciplinary collaborations to bring the complex world of particle physics to a wider audience.
An immersive art installation merging science and music to connect people with subatomic particles: Through Particle Shrine, scientists Teppei Kaneuji and Christo merge art and science to create an immersive experience, inspiring a deeper appreciation for subatomic particles in daily life.
Scientists Teppei Kaneuji and Christo created an innovative musical and artistic experience called Particle Shrine, which aims to help people connect with the intangible world of subatomic particles. This project began as a musical attempt to interpret supercollider data at a concert hall in France, later evolving into an interactive art installation. Particle Shrine features sound, light, and projections of neutrino data to create an immersive experience where visitors can physically feel and see the passing of cosmic rays. By merging art and science, the creators hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the presence of subatomic particles in our daily lives. As Tepepi explains, "The more important thing is that you feel it." This work not only enhances his research in particle physics but also demonstrates the power of art to show, not just tell, and enrich our understanding of the world around us. Particle Shrine was first unveiled at Science Gallery in London.
NPR's 'Shortwave' Team to Present in London and UK: NPR's podcast 'Shortwave' is coming to London for the Design Biennale and the Hidden Notes Festival in the UK. The team includes producers, editors, fact-checkers, and engineers, with senior leadership and sponsors.
The team behind the NPR podcast "Shortwave" has upcoming events in London and the UK. They will be showcasing a new show at the Somerset House as part of the London Design Biennale this month. Additionally, they will be present in the UK in September for the Hidden Notes Festival. This episode was produced by Margaret Serino and Burleigh McCoy, edited by Rebecca Ramirez, fact-checked by Jane Gilpin, and engineered by Robert Rodriguez. Beth Donovan is the senior director of programming, and Anya Crunman holds the position of senior vice president of programming. The podcast is supported by Easycater, a company helping businesses simplify their catering needs, and Capella University, offering flexible online degree programs.
