Dive Into the Elusive World of Particles With the Global Physics Photowalk Finalists

The 2025 Global Physics Photowalk has revealed its finalists, offering rare and striking glimpses into the world of particle physics research. The triennial competition showcases images from 16 science laboratories worldwide, highlighting the beauty and complexity of scientific exploration. Among the finalists is a photograph of an optical module inside the KM3NeT neutrino detector, located deep beneath the Mediterranean Sea, capturing the intricate technology used to study elusive neutrinos. The judges, composed of physics experts and photographers, selected three winners, with the public also casting votes for their favorites. One of the judge’s top picks, titled “Research at COLD,” features a solitary researcher at the Cryogenic Laboratory for Detectors (COLD) in Italy, where temperatures approach absolute zero to enable the study of rare cosmic signals. The image was praised for its cinematic quality and evocative portrayal of the intensity and solitude inherent in scientific work. Meanwhile, the public’s favorite was a vibrant photograph of a brightly lit corridor at the Large Heavy Ion National Accelerator in Caen, France, showcasing the facility’s colorful infrastructure and star-shaped lighting. The Photowalk aims to bridge the gap between abstract scientific concepts and human experience by visually narrating the dedication and curiosity driving particle physics research. The competition’s entries, which include 48 finalists, are currently on display at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting, providing attendees and the broader public with a unique window into the frontiers of physics. This initiative not only celebrates scientific achievement but also emphasizes the artistic and human elements behind cutting-edge research in understanding the universe’s fundamental particles.