this post was submitted on 22 May 2026
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xkcd #3249: Neutrino Project

Title text:

We definitely put the pool in a mine for shielding. It was absolutely not to hide it from the funding people.

Transcript:

Transcript will show once it’s been added to explainxkcd.com

Source: https://xkcd.com/3249/

explainxkcd for #3249

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[–] eager_eagle@lemmy.world 104 points 1 day ago (3 children)

not only a giant pool, but it's in a batcave and it looks like an album cover

[–] ButteryMonkey@piefed.social 11 points 21 hours ago

One of my favorite things about tech stuff is lights.

What I mean is, those lights, and most lights, only serve a human purpose, but some lights are for a non-human reason (like for plants or testing conditions), and its fun (to me) to disentangle which is which.

In this case they almost certainly cause active problems for the ultra-sensitive neutrino detectors, and they have to scrap the data from whenever they are turned on. In some cases they inhibit growth of the target organism (good or bad). In others, like lights in brewery brite tanks, they don't matter or are for cleaning purposes.

I enjoy asking about the lights, whenever I get a chance. Its always a question that gets a “huh, never thought about that, actually”, but I just find the human need element fascinating, because it dramatically impacts the whole machine. I wonder what we’d know if visible light wasn't our primary sense.

[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 21 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That’s one of the nearest things humans have ever built.

Definitely a top 20.

[–] Grail@multiverse.soulism.net 13 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

The nearest thing humans ever built is My underpants. Followed closely by My socks.

[–] Jimmycrackcrack@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 hours ago

False, those are actually quite far away from me as I can not even see you.

[–] BitUnWise@programming.dev 9 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

I have to assume they meant neatest, which interesting enough your underwear and socks are still #1 and #2

[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 6 points 11 hours ago

I did, I even proof read it and missed it

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.social 9 points 1 day ago

Good gosh, did you just win the Innernet for today. oO

[–] Thorry@feddit.org 30 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I especially liked the part where they designed the sensors inside domes, so they could handle the pressure without any issue. But then when one imploded it caused a cascade failure that destroyed a huge part of the thing. It left the whole thing crippled for years as they struggled on with just a small part of the sensors (which they redistributed and beefed up a bit). Luckily a few years later it got a full upgrade and rebuild, so it was back to 100% again.

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.social 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Okay.
Almost every one of my unattached atomic particles (or waves?) is way above my pay-grade, here, but if you're interested in explaining, I'll try to do my dumbass version of listening?

(I mean, so many causes and issues mentioned there, just incredible)

[–] autriyo@feddit.org 10 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) (1 children)

https://youtu.be/YoBFjD5tn_E

Alexander the okay probably does a way better job than any comment could. If you have 20 minutes to spare...

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.social 2 points 23 hours ago

Top of my watch-list, thank you!