Neutrinos and our Sun — Part 1

Abstract

The elusive neutrinos have periodically yielded their secrets to man and at each such juncture major advances have been achieved in our understanding of the sub-atomic phenomena. These particles also carry invaluable information about the centre of the Sun where energy is generated through nuclear fusion. In Part I of this article, history of the discovery of neutrinos is traced, their properties and types are described. Also, the Standard Model which forms the basis of the structure of matter and of which massless neutrinos are an integral part, is described. The role of neutrinos in solar energy generation and the great ‘solar neutrino puzzle’ and its solution will be described later in the series.