In a groundbreaking collaboration, Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada delves into the mysteries of particle physics with experts from CERN, exploring the universe’s darkest secrets and the importance of curiosity.
Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada has always been fascinated by science. Her latest album, Science Fiction, goes deeper into this fascination than ever before. In an exclusive visit to CERN, the world’s leading research center for particle physics, Utada delves into the mysteries of the universe with experts from Japan.
Hikaru Utada is a Japanese singer-songwriter and record producer.
Born in New York City, she moved to Japan at a young age and began her music career under the label EMI Music Japan.
Her debut album 'Precious' (1998) was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies.
Known for her eclectic style blending pop, rock, and R&B, Utada has released several hit albums, including 'First Love' (1999), 'Deep River' (2002), and 'This Is the One' (2004).
She is one of Japan's best-selling artists, with over 40 million records sold worldwide.
The World of Particle Physics
CERN is home to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a gigantic circular accelerator that has made groundbreaking discoveries in particle physics. The LHC is 27 kilometers long and was instrumental in the discovery of the Higgs boson, a mysterious particle that continues to play a key role in experiments into the origins of the universe.
Located at CERN, a research facility in Geneva, Switzerland, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world's largest and most complex particle accelerator.
It smashes protons together at nearly the speed of light to recreate conditions from the early universe.
In 2012, the LHC confirmed the existence of the Higgs boson, a fundamental particle predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics.
The LHC has made numerous groundbreaking discoveries, expanding our understanding of matter and the universe.
Utada’s conversation with researchers Junichi Tanaka and Kazuki Kojima from the University of Tokyo and KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization) delves into the world of dark matter and dark energy. These mysterious entities make up about 26% and 70% of the universe, respectively, but scientists still don’t know what they are.
Dark matter is a mysterious form of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible to our telescopes.
It was first proposed by Swiss astrophysicist Fritz Zwicky in 1933, based on his observations of galaxy clusters.
Dark matter is estimated to make up approximately 27% of the universe's mass-energy density, while visible matter makes up only about 5%.
The remaining 68% is thought to be dark energy, a type of negative pressure driving the acceleration of the universe's expansion.
The Importance of Curiosity
Utada’s visit to CERN was not just a chance to explore the world of particle physics, but also to learn from experts and share her own perspective. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and a spirit of inquiry in understanding the unknown. ‘Fear comes from ignorance,’ she says. ‘So what is the opposite of that? I think it’s curiosity and a spirit of inquiry.’
The Science Behind Her Music
Utada’s latest album, Science Fiction, reflects her fascination with science and its applications to everyday life. The songs on the album go deep into her interests in particle physics, cosmology, and the mysteries of the universe.
Conclusion
Hikaru Utada’s visit to CERN was a unique opportunity to explore the world of particle physics and learn from experts. Her conversation with Tanaka and Kojima highlights the importance of curiosity and a spirit of inquiry in understanding the unknown. As we continue to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge, it is essential to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the universe around us.
