Level of unseen elastic scatterings

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the frequency and implications of elastic scattering events involving visible matter particles and unseen particles, such as neutrinos and dark matter. Participants explore the measurement of these events and their potential effects on observations in astrophysics and particle physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how often visible matter particles undergo elastic scattering with unseen particles, specifically mentioning neutrinos and dark matter.
  • Another participant suggests that if elastic scattering were significant, it could lead to blurring of distant galaxies in observations.
  • A subsequent reply challenges the blurring assertion by comparing it to the darkness of a closed room, implying that the effects may not be as pronounced.
  • Further clarification is offered regarding how scattered light changes direction and how this could affect the association with the source of light.
  • A participant proposes that elastic scattering events involving muons, neutrinos, or dark matter particles could have similar effects on vision as photon interactions do.
  • Another participant humorously dismisses the relevance of the discussion by comparing the universe to a retina and expressing frustration.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of observability and questions whether particle observers detect low-energy penetrating radiation in areas shielded from visible light.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of elastic scattering and its observability, with no consensus reached on the significance or measurement of these events.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify the specific methodologies for measuring elastic scattering events or the definitions of "unseen" particles, leaving some assumptions and dependencies unresolved.

snorkack
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How often are visible matter particles seen to undergo elastic scattering with particles that remain otherwise unseen?
Known particles that may cause such scattering include neutrinos and antineutrinos (three flavours each) which are also seen in inelastic destruction and formation processes. Also, since dark matter is thought to not fit neutrino properties, that also means unknown number of different dark matter particles are eligible to cause elastic scattering of visible particles.

So, how well is background of elastic scattering events measured?
 
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If it were large distant galaxies would be blurred.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
If it were large distant galaxies would be blurred.
Why? No more so than darkness of a closed room.
 
Scattered light changes direction. If you have a large angle scvatter you can no longer associate it with the source (e.g. the blue sky) and if it's a small angle scatter it's no longer coming from the exact same direction so it blurs.
 
A muon undergoing elastic scattering off an electron in retina would cause vision the same as a photon being destroyed by interaction with an electron in retina does.
Likewise, a neutrino undergoing elastic scattering off an electron in retina would cause vision. And so would a dark matter particle undergoing elastic scattering of an electron in retina.
 
And if the universe were a retina, this would matter.

This is silly. I'm out of here.
 
It matters in terms of observability.
Asking the question this way: do particle observers/astronomers observe any background of low energy but penetrating radiation, in places otherwise sheltered from more visible radiations like visible light or muons? Such as cosmic ray neutrinos, or dark matter particles?
 

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